WO2022250277A1 - Washing machine and control method therefor - Google Patents
Washing machine and control method therefor Download PDFInfo
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- WO2022250277A1 WO2022250277A1 PCT/KR2022/004602 KR2022004602W WO2022250277A1 WO 2022250277 A1 WO2022250277 A1 WO 2022250277A1 KR 2022004602 W KR2022004602 W KR 2022004602W WO 2022250277 A1 WO2022250277 A1 WO 2022250277A1
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- Prior art keywords
- washing
- laundry
- image
- amount
- contamination
- Prior art date
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- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 270
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 47
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 90
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 37
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000001678 irradiating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 28
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 25
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 20
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 17
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 6
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 6
- 241000700605 Viruses Species 0.000 description 4
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 244000052616 bacterial pathogen Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000032823 cell division Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
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- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 229910044991 metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000004706 metal oxides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 238000001579 optical reflectometry Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
- A61L2/08—Radiation
- A61L2/10—Ultraviolet radiation
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/43—Control of cleaning or disinfection of washing machine parts, e.g. of tubs
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
- D06F34/18—Condition of the laundry, e.g. nature or weight
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
- G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
- G01N21/94—Investigating contamination, e.g. dust
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
Definitions
- Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a washing machine capable of effectively removing contaminants and a control method thereof.
- a washing machine is a device that loads laundry, water, and detergent into a washing tub, rotates the washing tub to remove contaminants from the laundry, rinses, and spins the laundry to wash the laundry.
- the washing machine may provide a plurality of selectable washing courses according to the amount of laundry and the type of laundry. For example, a plurality of washing courses may be displayed through a manipulation panel, and a user may select a desired washing course through an input means such as a button or a jog dial provided on the manipulation panel.
- a washing machine capable of efficiently washing laundry according to the amount of contamination of laundry and a control method thereof are provided.
- a washing machine capable of sanitary washing and a control method thereof are provided.
- a washing machine includes a washing tub; an image acquisition module including a light source for radiating light into the washing tub and a camera for receiving reflected light of the light to acquire a first image of laundry inside the washing tub; and a processor that detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the first image before washing, and sets washing conditions according to the detection result.
- the processor may detect the amount of laundry from the first image, and the detection result may include the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry.
- the processor may set the washing condition by adjusting the preset washing condition according to the detection result.
- the processor after performing laundry, obtains a second image of the laundry using the image acquisition module, re-detects the amount of contamination from the second image, and performs additional washing according to the re-detection result. can decide whether to perform
- the light source may include a first light source for image detection and a second light source for sterilization.
- the processor may control the second light source to sterilize the washing tub and the laundry after washing is performed.
- the first light source may include a plurality of first light sources disposed on a circular arc centered on an optical axis of the camera.
- an optical axis of the first light source and an optical axis of the camera may be parallel.
- the image acquisition module may include a plurality of color filters sequentially positioned in an optical path of the camera.
- a method for controlling a washing machine includes radiating light from a first light source to laundry inside a washing tub, and acquiring a first image of the laundry using a camera; detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry from the first image; and setting washing conditions according to the detection result.
- the method may further include detecting the amount of laundry from the first image, and the detection result may include the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry.
- the washing conditions may be set by adjusting the preset washing conditions according to the detection result.
- the method may include irradiating light for sterilization into the washing tub from a second light source after performing washing according to the washing conditions.
- the method may include irradiating light from the first light source to the laundry inside the washing tub after washing, and obtaining a second image of the laundry using the camera;
- the method may include re-detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry from the second image and determining whether to perform additional washing according to the re-detection result.
- the method may include irradiating light for sterilization into the washing tub from a second light source after performing the additional washing.
- the acquiring of the first image may include sequentially locating a plurality of color filters on an optical path of the camera and acquiring a plurality of first images sequentially passing through the plurality of color filters. step; may be included.
- the washing machine and its control method it is possible to set suitable washing conditions according to the amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry, so that efficient washing is possible and damage to the laundry can be reduced.
- the light source and the camera are modularized together, the adjustment process of adjusting the angle of view of the camera and the irradiation angle of the light source can be simplified during the manufacturing process.
- Hygienic washing is possible by adopting a light source for contamination detection and a light source for sterilization.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of an image acquisition module.
- FIG 3 is a view showing an example of an arrangement form of a first light source and a second light source.
- FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of an arrangement form of a first light source and a second light source.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of detecting the amount of laundry from an acquired image.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an image acquisition module.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the image acquisition module 5 .
- the washing machine of this embodiment is a top-loading washing machine.
- an embodiment of a washing machine includes a washing tub 2, a light source 52 for irradiating light into the washing tub 2, and a camera 51 for receiving reflected light of the light.
- the washing machine may include a housing 1 accommodating the washing tub 2 and a door 3 opening and closing an opening provided at an upper portion of the housing 1 .
- the door 3 is opened and laundry can be put into the washing tub 2 through the opening.
- the housing 1 is a water supply/drainage structure for supplying water to and discharging water from the washing tub 2, washing tub 2 and/or water inside the washing tub 2 and A driving structure for rotating laundry, and the like may be included.
- the washing machine may include a control unit 6.
- the controller 6 controls the washing process.
- the controller 6 may include a processor 61 .
- the processor 61 may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).
- the processor 61 may be connected to the control panel 4 and driving elements of the washing machine, for example, a motor (not shown) that rotates the washing tub 2 and a water supply/drainage structure.
- the processor 61 may control the image acquisition module 5 to detect the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry, and may perform image processing on the obtained image.
- the processor 61 may set washing conditions or adjust preset washing conditions according to the detection result.
- the processor 61 may control driving elements of the washing machine to control a washing process according to washing conditions.
- the controller 6 may include a memory 62 that stores information about washing courses, such as washing time, rinsing time, and the number of times of rinsing.
- a control program executable by the processor 61 may be stored in the memory 62 .
- the memory 62 may store reference contrast information and various lookup tables to be described later.
- the control unit 6 may include an image processing unit that processes an image acquired by the camera 51 .
- the image processing unit may be implemented in the form of a control program.
- the image processing unit may be implemented in the form of hardware including the processor 61 .
- a plurality of washing courses selectable by the user according to the amount and type of laundry may be provided (displayed) to the user through the control panel 4 .
- a plurality of washing courses may be implemented by various combinations of washing conditions, eg, washing time and rinsing time.
- a user may select a desired washing course through a control unit such as a button provided on the control panel 4 .
- the controller 6 may control the washing process according to the selected washing course.
- the controller 6 may control a motor (not shown) that rotates the washing tub 2 and a water supply/drain structure according to the selected washing course.
- Washing conditions may affect washing performance, that is, contamination removal performance, and a degree of damage to laundry. Washing conditions may be set to sufficiently remove contamination and at the same time minimize damage to laundry.
- the washing machine of the present embodiment has a structure capable of detecting the contamination amount of laundry and setting washing conditions according to the detected contamination amount.
- the washing machine of this embodiment is equipped with an image acquisition module 5.
- the image acquisition module 5 acquires an image of laundry in the washing tub 2 .
- the image acquisition module 5 may include a light source 52 for irradiating light into the washing tub 2 and a camera 51 for receiving reflected light of the light.
- the camera 51 may include an image sensor that receives reflected light and converts an optical signal into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion.
- the image sensor for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (COMS) image sensor, or the like may be employed.
- the camera 51 may further include an imaging optical system for forming an image of reflected light on an image sensor.
- the imaging optical system may be a reduction imaging optical system that reduces reflected light and forms an image on the image sensor.
- the imaging optical system may include one or more lenses.
- the light source 52 may be a point light source.
- the light source 52 may include a first light source 52a for image acquisition.
- the first light source 52a may emit, for example, ultraviolet light.
- the first light source 52a may emit long-wavelength (UV-A) ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 315 to 400 nm, for example. In this embodiment, the first light source 52a emits long-wavelength ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 360 to 380 nm.
- the light source 52 may further include a second light source 52b for sterilization.
- the second light source 52b may emit short-wavelength (UV-C) ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm, for example. In this embodiment, the second light source 52b emits short-wavelength ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 265 nm.
- short-wavelength ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 265 nm has a strong sensitivity to DNA
- irradiation with short-wavelength ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 265 nm changes the structure of DNA and/or RNA in the cell nucleus of bacteria, bacteria, viruses, etc., and stops cell division function. let it As a result, the proliferation of germs, bacteria, viruses, etc. is prevented, and sterilization is possible.
- the first light source 52a may be one or two or more.
- the plurality of first light sources 52a may be arranged on a circular arc or circle centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 .
- Each interval between the plurality of first light sources 52a may be the same or may be different from each other.
- Optical axes of the plurality of first light sources 52a may be parallel to the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 .
- the plurality of first light sources 52a By arranging the plurality of first light sources 52a with the camera 51 as the center, it is possible to improve the accuracy of contaminant detection by minimizing a shaded area within an irradiation angle range of the first light source 52a.
- the angle of view of the camera 51 and the angle of irradiation of the first light source 52a may be simultaneously adjusted in the position adjustment process after the image acquisition module 5 is installed, thereby simplifying the adjustment process.
- the plurality of first light sources 52a it is not necessarily necessary that the plurality of first light sources 52a be disposed on a circle or an arc centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 . As long as the shadow area can be minimized within the irradiation angle range, at least one of the plurality of first light sources 52a may have a different distance from the optical axis 51a than the others.
- the number of second light sources 52b may be one or two or more.
- the plurality of second light sources 52b may be arranged on a circular arc or circle centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 .
- Each interval between the plurality of second light sources 52b may be the same or may be different from each other.
- Optical axes of the plurality of second light sources 52b may be parallel to the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 .
- the angle of view of the camera 51 and the angle of irradiation of the second light source 52b may be simultaneously adjusted in the position adjustment process after the image acquisition module 5 is installed, thereby simplifying the adjustment process.
- the plurality of second light sources 52b be arranged on a circle or arc centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 .
- at least one of the plurality of second light sources 52b may have a different distance from the optical axis 51a than the others.
- FIG. 3 and 4 show examples of the arrangement of the first light source 52a and the second light source 52b.
- four first light sources 52a and four second light sources 52b may be arranged on a circle 50a centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 .
- the first light source 52a and the second light source 52b may be alternately arranged.
- the four first light sources 52a are arranged on a circle 50b centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51
- the four second light sources 52b are arranged on the camera ( 51) may be arranged on a circle 50c centered on the optical axis 51a.
- the number and arrangement of the first light sources 52a and the second light sources 52b are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- the image acquisition module 5 is disposed to sufficiently illuminate the laundry inside the washing tub 2 .
- the image acquisition module 5 may be located at the edge of the opening of the housing 1 .
- the image acquisition module 5 may also be installed on the door 3.
- the image acquisition module 5 of this embodiment is in the form of an assembly in which a light source 52 and a camera 51 are integrated. Optical axes of the camera 51 and the light source 52 may be parallel to each other.
- the control unit 6, for example, the processor 61, before performing washing, detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the image (first image) acquired by the image acquisition module 5, and the washing conditions according to the detection result. can be set.
- An image obtained by the camera 51 has a distribution of brightness and darkness according to the location and degree of contaminants. For example, contaminants may have relatively high or low brightness compared to laundry.
- the memory 62 may store an intensity distribution (reference intensity distribution) of the reference image.
- the control unit 6 may calculate a contrast distribution from the obtained image, compare the calculated contrast distribution with a reference contrast distribution, and detect a contamination amount according to the comparison result.
- the controller 6 may obtain a difference (contrast difference) between the detected contrast distribution and the reference contrast distribution, and determine a contamination amount corresponding to the contrast difference from a lookup table stored in the memory 62 .
- the controller 6 may distinguish between laundry and contaminants based on the brightness distribution of the obtained image, and detect the area and brightness of the contaminants.
- the control unit 6 may determine the amount of contamination corresponding to the area and lightness of the contaminant from a lookup table stored in the memory 62 .
- the control unit 6 may set washing conditions according to the detected amount of contamination.
- the washing conditions may include, for example, washing time, rinsing time, and the number of rinsing.
- the control unit 6, for example, the processor 61 may adjust (change) the preset wash conditions according to the detection result. have. For example, based on the detection result, a washing time, a rinsing time, a rinsing number, and the like may be increased or decreased in preset washing conditions.
- the user may select a washing course according to the degree of contamination visually confirmed and the amount of laundry. The contamination amount based on the user's arbitrary judgment may not be accurate. In addition, there may be contamination that is not visible to the naked eye.
- efficient washing is possible by detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry using an optical means and adjusting the washing conditions set by the user according to the amount of contamination of the laundry.
- efficient and sanitary washing is possible by detecting invisible contamination by using ultraviolet rays as illumination light and adjusting washing conditions according to the detection result.
- the detection result may include the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry.
- the controller 6, for example, the processor 61 may detect the amount of laundry from the acquired image.
- the angle of view (shooting range) of the camera is constant.
- the amount of laundry may be detected from an area occupied by laundry in the acquired image.
- 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of detecting the amount of laundry from an acquired image.
- the background BG represents the inner wall of the washing tub 2 and has a large difference in contrast from that of the laundry CB.
- An outline of the laundry CB may be determined by detecting a boundary representing a sharp contrast between light and dark.
- the outline may be detected as indicated by reference numeral BL1.
- the area occupied by the laundry CB can be calculated.
- the outline may be detected as indicated by reference numeral BL2.
- the area occupied by the laundry CB can be calculated by calculating the inner area of the outline BL2.
- the relationship between the area of the laundry CB and the amount of laundry CB may be previously stored in the memory 62 in the form of a look-up table.
- the controller 6, for example, the processor 61 may determine the amount of laundry CB by referring to the look-up table from the calculated area of the laundry CB.
- the controller 6, for example, the processor 61 may set a washing condition based on the detected amount of contamination and the amount of laundry CB.
- the controller 6, for example, the processor 61 may adjust (change) preset washing conditions by the user.
- the controller 6, for example, the processor 61 acquires an image (second image) of the laundry using the image acquisition module 5 and re-detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the acquired image.
- a process of acquiring the second image and re-detecting the amount of contamination from the second image may be the same as the above-described process of acquiring the first image and detecting the amount of contamination from the first image.
- the controller 6, for example, the processor 61 may determine whether to perform additional washing according to the re-detected amount of contamination. For example, the controller 6 may perform additional washing when the re-detected contamination amount is greater than the reference contamination amount stored in the memory 62 . Additional washing may include, for example, rinsing.
- the controller 6 may set at least one of a rinsing time and a rinsing number according to the re-detected amount of contamination and control the washing machine to perform additional washing. With this configuration, contaminants and detergents remaining after washing can be removed, and a high washing effect can be obtained, and sanitary washing can be performed.
- the image acquisition module 5 may include a plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G.
- the plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G may be red, yellow, and green filters, respectively.
- a plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G are sequentially placed on the optical path of the camera 51.
- the plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G may be rotated by the driving motor 53 and sequentially positioned on the optical path of the camera 51.
- a plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G are sequentially positioned on an optical path of the camera 51, and light passing through each of the plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G is transmitted to the camera 51. ) to obtain a plurality of images. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily identify various types of contaminants, for example, oily contaminants, water-based contaminants, fluorescent substances, and the like, by reducing background reflected light.
- Images obtained by applying the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G may have different contrast distributions. Images obtained by applying the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G may have a different intensity distribution from images obtained without applying the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G. This is because light reflectivity is different depending on the type of contaminant. Therefore, by applying the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G, the reflected light of the part that becomes the background of the contaminant is removed, so that the contaminant can be better detected, and various types of contaminants having different reflection characteristics can be detected.
- the controller 6 may synthesize a plurality of images acquired by applying the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G, and calculate a contrast distribution from the synthesized images.
- the control unit 6 may compare the calculated intensity distribution with a reference intensity distribution, and detect the contamination amount according to the comparison result.
- the controller 6 may calculate the intensity distribution of a plurality of images, and calculate the final intensity distribution by summing the calculated intensity distributions. Then, the control unit 6 may compare the final intensity distribution with the reference intensity distribution and detect the contamination amount according to the comparison result.
- the controller 6 may classify laundry and contaminants from the brightness distribution of a plurality of images, and detect the area and brightness of the contaminants.
- the control unit 6 may determine the amount of contamination corresponding to the area and lightness of the contaminant from a lookup table stored in the memory 62 .
- the amount of contamination may be detected from a plurality of images obtained by receiving light passing through the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G by various other methods.
- the user can check the contamination of the laundry with his eyes and set washing conditions. When a color filter is applied, it is possible to detect contaminants invisible to the naked eye, so that washing conditions more suitable for removing the contaminants can be set. Therefore, effective and sanitary washing is possible.
- FIGS. 1 to 7 is a flowchart of an example of a method for controlling a washing machine.
- a method for controlling a washing machine light is irradiated from a first light source 52a to laundry inside the washing tub 2, and a first image of the laundry is obtained using a camera 51. It may include obtaining (S110), detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry from the first image (S120), and setting washing conditions according to the detection result (S130).
- a user may open the door 3 and put laundry into the washing tub 2 .
- the control unit 6 acquires an image (first image) of the laundry using the image acquisition module 5.
- the controller 6 controls the first light source 52a to radiate light into the washing tub 2 .
- the light may be, for example, long-wavelength ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 360 to 380 nm.
- the camera 51 receives the light reflected from the laundry and converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through a photoelectric conversion process.
- the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal via an amplifier or an analog-to-digital converter, for example.
- the controller 6 can obtain data of the first image from the digital signal.
- the controller 6 sequentially applies the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G to the camera. 51, and the first images to which the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G are applied, respectively, can be obtained.
- the control unit 6 first places, for example, a color filter 54R in an optical path of the camera 51, receives the light reflected from the laundry using the camera 51, and photoelectric conversion-amplification-AD Through the conversion process, a digital signal of the first image to which the color filter 54R is applied is obtained.
- the controller 6 places the color filter 54Y on the optical path of the camera 51 and obtains a digital signal of the first image to which the color filter 54Y is applied.
- the controller 6 places the color filter 54G on the optical path of the camera 51 and obtains a digital signal of the first image to which the color filter 54G is applied.
- the controller 6 may obtain data of the first image from digital signals of the first images to which the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G are applied.
- the controller 6 detects the amount of contamination using the data of the first image.
- the control unit 6 may detect the intensity distribution according to the location and degree of contaminants from the first image data, compare them with the reference intensity distribution stored in the memory 62, and detect the amount of contamination according to the comparison result.
- the controller 6 may obtain a difference (contrast difference) between the detected contrast distribution and the reference contrast distribution, and determine a contamination amount corresponding to the contrast difference from a lookup table stored in the memory 62 .
- the controller 6 classifies laundry and contaminants from the brightness distribution of the acquired image, detects the area and lightness of the contaminants, and then determines the amount of contamination corresponding to the area and brightness of the contaminants from a look-up table stored in the memory 62. can decide
- the step of detecting the amount of laundry from the first image (S150) may be further included.
- the controller 6 determines the outline BL1 or BL2 of the laundry CB by using a contrast difference between the background BG and the laundry CB from the first image, and , the area within the outline BL1 or BL2 can be calculated.
- the controller 6 may determine the amount of laundry CB by referring to the look-up table of the memory 62 based on the calculated area.
- the controller 6 may set washing conditions according to the detection result, that is, the amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry (S130).
- the washing conditions may include, for example, washing time, rinsing time, and the number of rinsing.
- the controller 6 controls the washing machine to perform washing according to set washing conditions (S140).
- the washing process may include, for example, washing, rinsing, and spin-drying.
- the control unit 6 may generate a visual and audible signal indicating completion of washing through the manipulation panel 4 . Since the amount of contamination of the laundry or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry may be detected, an optimal washing condition capable of removing the contamination may be set, and thus damage to the laundry due to excessive washing time may be prevented. In addition, by optimizing the washing time according to the amount of contamination of the laundry, an increase in energy consumption due to excessive washing time may be prevented.
- One embodiment of the control method of the washing machine may further include a step of sterilizing the inside of the washing tub 2 by irradiating light for sterilization from the second light source 52b to sterilize after washing (S160).
- the second light source 52b may emit short-wavelength ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 265 nm, for example. Since short-wavelength ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 265 nm has a strong sensitivity to DNA, irradiation with short-wavelength ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 265 nm changes the structure of DNA and/or RNA in the cell nucleus of bacteria, bacteria, viruses, etc., and stops cell division function. let it This prevents the growth of germs, bacteria, viruses and the like. Therefore, it is possible to sterilize the inside of the washing tub 2 and the laundry.
- the washing machine control method includes the steps of radiating light from a first light source 52a to laundry inside the washing tub 2 after washing, and obtaining a second image of the laundry using a camera 51 ( S210), and a step of re-detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry from the second image and determining whether to perform additional washing (S230) according to the re-detection result (S220).
- the controller 6 may detect whether contaminants are well removed after washing and whether detergent remains in the laundry.
- the controller 6 acquires a second image of the laundry using the camera 51 and re-detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the second image. Contamination can refer to contamination and residual detergents that have not been removed.
- the process of acquiring the second image is the same as the process of obtaining the first image described above.
- the process of re-detecting the amount of contamination is the same as the process of detecting the amount of contamination from the first image.
- the controller 6 may determine whether to perform additional washing according to the re-detected contamination amount.
- the controller 6 may perform additional washing when the re-detected contamination amount is greater than the reference contamination amount stored in the memory 62, for example.
- Additional washing may include, for example, rinsing.
- the controller 6 may set at least one of a rinsing time and a rinsing number according to the re-detected amount of contamination and control the washing machine to perform additional washing.
- a sterilization step ( S160 ) may be performed after additional washing is completed. With this configuration, contaminants and detergent remaining after washing are removed, so that sanitary washing is possible.
- the controller 6 may control the washing machine to perform the sterilization step (S160) without performing additional washing.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment.
- steps S110, S120, S130, S140, S150, S160, S210, S220, and S230 are the same as those described in FIGS. 7 and 8 .
- the washing machine control method of the present embodiment is different from the above-described washing machine control methods in the process of setting washing conditions after detecting the amount of contamination from the first image.
- a user may select one of a plurality of washing courses provided through the operation panel 4 after putting laundry into the washing tub.
- the user may set washing conditions different from the plurality of washing courses provided through the operation panel 4 by individually selecting washing time, rinsing time, and the number of times of rinsing.
- the controller 6 detects the amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry from the first image of the laundry, and then determines whether a preset washing condition exists (S310). When there is no preset washing condition, the controller 6 sets washing conditions according to the detected amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry (S130) and controls the washing machine to perform washing (S140). When there are preset washing conditions, the controller 6 determines whether the preset washing conditions are appropriate according to the detected amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry (S320). When the preset washing conditions are appropriate, the controller 6 controls the washing machine to perform washing according to the preset washing conditions.
- the control unit 6 adjusts (changes) the washing conditions according to the detected amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry (S330). Adjustment of washing conditions may include, for example, increasing or decreasing washing time, rinsing time, or rinsing number.
- the controller 6 controls the washing machine to perform washing according to the adjusted washing conditions (S140). According to this configuration, when the user selects the wrong washing course, the washing conditions can be adjusted according to the amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry. Therefore, it is possible to perform effective washing with well-removed stains, prevent damage to laundry due to excessive washing, and reduce energy waste.
- the controller 6 may acquire a second image of the laundry according to steps S210, S220, and S230, re-detect the amount of contamination from the second image, and determine whether to perform additional washing according to the re-detection result. .
- the controller 6 may control the washing machine to perform the sterilization step (S160) after performing additional washing.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the washing machine of this embodiment is a drum type washing machine.
- an embodiment of a washing machine includes a washing tub 2 and an image acquisition module 5 for acquiring an image of laundry inside the washing tub 2 by irradiating light into the washing tub 2 and receiving reflected light. and a control unit 6 that detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the image before washing and sets washing conditions according to the detection result.
- the image acquisition module 5 is the same as described in FIG. 1 sowl eh 4 and FIG. 6 .
- the washing machine may include a housing 1 accommodating the washing tub 2 and a door 3 opening and closing an opening provided on a side of the housing 1 .
- the door 3 can be opened and laundry can be put into the washing tub 2.
- the housing 1 is a water supply/drainage structure for supplying water to the washing tub 2 and discharging water from the washing tub 2, and a washing tub 2 or water and laundry inside the washing tub 2. It may include a driving structure that rotates, and the like.
- the image acquisition module 5 may be positioned at an appropriate location capable of illuminating the inside of the washing tub 2 and acquiring an image.
- the image acquisition module 5 may be located at the edge of an opening of the housing 21 opened and closed by the door 3 .
- the image acquisition module 5 may also be located on the door 3 .
- the washing machine may include a control unit 6.
- the controller 6 controls the washing process.
- the controller 6 may include a processor 61 .
- the processor 61 may be connected to the control panel 4 and driving elements of the washing machine, for example, a motor (not shown) rotating the washing tub 2 and a water supply/drainage structure.
- the controller 6 may include a memory 62 that stores information about washing courses, such as washing time, rinsing time, and the number of times of rinsing.
- a control program executable by the processor 61 may be stored in the memory 62 .
- the controller 6 may control the washing process according to the washing conditions of the washing course selected by the user or the washing conditions set or adjusted according to the amount of contamination.
- the controller 6 may control a motor (not shown) that rotates the washing tub 2 and a water supply/drain structure according to the selected washing course.
- the control unit 6 may include an image processing unit that processes an image acquired by the camera 51 .
- the image processing unit may be implemented in the form of a control program.
- the image processing unit may be implemented in the form of hardware.
- the housing 1 may include an accommodating portion accommodating clothes, a vibration generator vibrating the clothes, and a hot air supplier supplying hot air into the accommodating portion.
- the image acquisition module 5 radiates light to the clothing in the accommodating unit and obtains an image of the clothing from the reflected light.
- the control unit 6 may detect the amount of contamination of the clothes from the acquired image, and may set treatment conditions for the clothes, such as vibration intensity, hot air temperature, hot air supply time, etc., according to the detection result. When there are preset processing conditions, the controller 6 can adjust the processing conditions according to the detection result.
- the image acquisition module 5 may sterilize the clothes by irradiating the clothes with short-wavelength ultraviolet light using the second light source 52b while the clothes are being treated.
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Abstract
A washing machine of the present disclosure comprises an image acquisition module for acquiring a first image of laundry inside a washing tub. The image acquisition module comprises a light source for emitting light at the inside of the washing tub, and a camera for receiving reflected light of the light. A processor detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the first image before washing, and sets a washing condition according to the detection result.
Description
본 개시의 실시예들은, 오염물을 효과적으로 제거할 수 있는 세탁기 및 그 제어 방법에 관한 것이다.Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a washing machine capable of effectively removing contaminants and a control method thereof.
세탁기는 세탁조에 세탁물, 물, 세제를 투입하고, 세탁조를 회전시켜 세탁물로부터 오염물을 탈락시키고, 헹굼, 및 탈수 과정을 거쳐서 세탁물을 세탁하는 장치이다. 세탁기는 세탁물의 양, 세탁물의 종류 등에 따라 다수의 선택 가능한 세탁 코스를 제공할 수 있다. 예를 들어 다수의 세탁 코스는 조작 패널을 통하여 표시될 수 있으며, 사용자는 조작 패널에 마련된 버튼, 조그 다이얼 등의 입력 수단을 통하여 원하는 세탁 코스를 선택할 수 있다.A washing machine is a device that loads laundry, water, and detergent into a washing tub, rotates the washing tub to remove contaminants from the laundry, rinses, and spins the laundry to wash the laundry. The washing machine may provide a plurality of selectable washing courses according to the amount of laundry and the type of laundry. For example, a plurality of washing courses may be displayed through a manipulation panel, and a user may select a desired washing course through an input means such as a button or a jog dial provided on the manipulation panel.
세탁물의 오염량에 따라 효율적인 세탁이 가능한 세탁기 및 그 제어 방법을 제공한다.A washing machine capable of efficiently washing laundry according to the amount of contamination of laundry and a control method thereof are provided.
위생적인 세탁이 가능한 세탁기 및 그 제어 방법을 제공한다.A washing machine capable of sanitary washing and a control method thereof are provided.
본 개시의 일 실시예에 따른 세탁기는, 세탁조; 상기 세탁조 내부에 광을 조사하는 광원과 상기 광의 반사광을 수광하는 카메라를 포함하여, 상기 세탁조 내부의 세탁물의 제1이미지를 획득하는 이미지 획득 모듈; 세탁을 수행하기 전에 상기 제1이미지로부터 상기 세탁물의 오염량을 검출하고, 검출 결과에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정하는 프로세서;를 포함한다.A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a washing tub; an image acquisition module including a light source for radiating light into the washing tub and a camera for receiving reflected light of the light to acquire a first image of laundry inside the washing tub; and a processor that detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the first image before washing, and sets washing conditions according to the detection result.
일 실시예로서, 상기 프로세서는 상기 제1이미지로부터 상기 세탁물의 양을 검출할 수 있으며, 상기 검출 결과는 상기 오염량과 상기 세탁물의 양을 포함할 수 있다.As an embodiment, the processor may detect the amount of laundry from the first image, and the detection result may include the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry.
일 실시예로서, 상기 프로세서는 상기 검출 결과에 따라서 기 설정된 세탁 조건을 조정하여 상기 세탁 조건을 설정할 수 있다.As an embodiment, the processor may set the washing condition by adjusting the preset washing condition according to the detection result.
일 실시예로서, 상기 프로세서는 세탁을 수행한 후에, 상기 이미지 획득 모듈을 이용하여 상기 세탁물의 제2이미지를 획득하고, 상기 제2이미지로부터 오염량을 재검출하고, 상기 재검출 결과에 따라서 추가 세탁의 수행 여부를 결정할 수 있다.As an embodiment, after performing laundry, the processor obtains a second image of the laundry using the image acquisition module, re-detects the amount of contamination from the second image, and performs additional washing according to the re-detection result. can decide whether to perform
일 실시예로서, 상기 광원은 이미지 검출용 제1광원과, 살균용 제2광원을 포함할 수 있다. 상기 프로세서는 세탁을 수행한 후에 상기 세탁조 및 상기 세탁물을 살균하도록 상기 제2광원을 제어할 수 있. 일 실시예로서, 상기 제1광원은 상기 카메라의 광축을 중심으로 하는 원호 상에 배치되는 복수의 제1광원을 포함할 수 있다. 일 실시예로서, 상기 제1광원의 광축과 상기 카메라의 광축은 평행할 수 있다. As an example, the light source may include a first light source for image detection and a second light source for sterilization. The processor may control the second light source to sterilize the washing tub and the laundry after washing is performed. As an example, the first light source may include a plurality of first light sources disposed on a circular arc centered on an optical axis of the camera. As an example, an optical axis of the first light source and an optical axis of the camera may be parallel.
일 실시예로서, 상기 이미지 획득 모듈은, 순차로 상기 카메라의 광경로에 위치되는 복수의 칼라 필터를 포함할 수 있다. As an example, the image acquisition module may include a plurality of color filters sequentially positioned in an optical path of the camera.
본 개시의 일 실시예에 따른 세탁기의 제어 방법은, 제1광원으로부터 세탁조 내부의 세탁물에 광을 조사하고, 카메라를 이용하여 상기 세탁물의 제1이미지를 획득하는 단계; 상기 제1이미지로부터 상기 세탁물의 오염량을 검출하는 단계; 상기 검출 결과에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정하는 단계;를 포함한다.A method for controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes radiating light from a first light source to laundry inside a washing tub, and acquiring a first image of the laundry using a camera; detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry from the first image; and setting washing conditions according to the detection result.
일 실시예로서, 상기 방법은, 상기 제1이미지로부터 상기 세탁물의 양을 검출하는 단계;를 더 포함할 수 있으며, 상기 검출 결과는 상기 오염량과 상기 세탁물의 양을 포함할 수 있다.As an embodiment, the method may further include detecting the amount of laundry from the first image, and the detection result may include the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry.
일 실시예로서, 상기 세탁 조건을 설정하는 단계는, 상기 검출 결과에 따라서 기 설정된 세탁 조건을 조정하여 상기 세탁 조건을 설정할 수 있다.As an embodiment, in the setting of the washing conditions, the washing conditions may be set by adjusting the preset washing conditions according to the detection result.
일 실시예로서, 상기 방법은, 상기 세탁 조건에 따라서 세탁을 수행한 후에, 제2광원으로부터 상기 세탁조 내부에 살균용 광을 조사하는 단계;를 포함할 수 있다.As an example, the method may include irradiating light for sterilization into the washing tub from a second light source after performing washing according to the washing conditions.
일 실시예로서, 상기 방법은, 세탁을 수행한 후에, 상기 제1광원으로부터 상기 세탁조 내부의 세탁물에 광을 조사하고 상기 카메라를 이용하여 상기 세탁물의 제2이미지를 획득하는 단계; 상기 제2이미지로부터 상기 세탁물의 오염량을 재검출하고, 상기 재검출 결과에 따라서 추가 세탁의 수행 여부를 결정하는 단계;를 포함할 수 있다. 일 실시예로서, 상기 방법은, 상기 추가 세탁을 수행한 후에 제2광원으로부터 상기 세탁조의 내부에 살균용 광을 조사하는 단계;를 포함할 수 있다. In an embodiment, the method may include irradiating light from the first light source to the laundry inside the washing tub after washing, and obtaining a second image of the laundry using the camera; The method may include re-detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry from the second image and determining whether to perform additional washing according to the re-detection result. As an example, the method may include irradiating light for sterilization into the washing tub from a second light source after performing the additional washing.
일 실시예로서, 상기 제1이미지를 획득하는 단계는, 상기 카메라의 광경로 상에 복수의 칼라 필터를 순차로 위치시키고 상기 복수의 칼라 필터를 순차로 통과한 복수의 상기 제1이미지를 획득하는 단계;를 포함할 수 있다.As an embodiment, the acquiring of the first image may include sequentially locating a plurality of color filters on an optical path of the camera and acquiring a plurality of first images sequentially passing through the plurality of color filters. step; may be included.
본 개시의 세탁기 및 그 제어 방법에 따르면, 세탁물의 오염량 또는 오염량과 세탁물의 양에 따라 적합한 세탁 조건의 설정이 가능하므로, 효율적인 세탁이 가능하며, 세탁물의 손상이 저감될 수 있다. 광원과 카메라가 함께 모듈화되어 있어 제조 과정에서 카메라의 화각과 광원의 조사각을 조정하는 조정 공정이 간소화될 수 있다. 오염 검출용 광원과 살균용 광원을 채용하여 위생적인 세탁이 가능하다.According to the washing machine and its control method according to the present disclosure, it is possible to set suitable washing conditions according to the amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry, so that efficient washing is possible and damage to the laundry can be reduced. Since the light source and the camera are modularized together, the adjustment process of adjusting the angle of view of the camera and the irradiation angle of the light source can be simplified during the manufacturing process. Hygienic washing is possible by adopting a light source for contamination detection and a light source for sterilization.
도 1은 본 개시의 일 실시예에 따른 세탁기의 사시도이다. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
도 2는 이미지 획득 모듈의 일 실시예의 개략적인 사시도이다.2 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of an image acquisition module.
도 3은 제1광원과 제2광원의 배치 형태의 일 예를 보여주는 도면이다.3 is a view showing an example of an arrangement form of a first light source and a second light source.
도 4는 제1광원과 제2광원의 배치 형태의 일 예를 보여주는 도면이다.4 is a view showing an example of an arrangement form of a first light source and a second light source.
도 5는 획득한 이미지로부터 세탁물의 양을 검출하는 과정의 일 예를 설명하는 도면이다.5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of detecting the amount of laundry from an acquired image.
도 6은 이미지 획득 모듈의 일 실시예의 사시도이다.6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an image acquisition module.
도 7은 세탁기의 제어 방법의 일 실시예의 흐름도이다.7 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment.
도 8은 세탁기의 제어 방법의 일 실시예의 흐름도이다.8 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment.
도 9는 세탁기의 제어 방법의 일 실시예의 흐름도이다.9 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment.
도 10은 본 개시의 일 실시예에 따른 세탁기의 개략적인 사시도이다.10 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
본 명세서에서 사용되는 용어는 본 발명에서의 기능을 고려하면서 가능한 현재 널리 사용되는 일반적인 용어들을 선택하였으나, 이는 당 분야에 종사하는 기술자의 의도 또는 판례, 새로운 기술의 출현 등에 따라 달라질 수 있다. 또한, 특정한 경우는 출원인이 임의로 선정한 용어도 있으며, 이 경우 해당되는 발명의 설명 부분에서 상세히 그 의미를 기재할 것이다. 따라서 본 발명에서 사용되는 용어는 단순한 용어의 명칭이 아닌, 그 용어가 가지는 의미와 본 발명의 전반에 걸친 내용을 토대로 정의되어야 한다. 명세서 전체에서 어떤 부분이 어떤 구성요소를 "포함"한다고 할 때, 이는 특별히 반대되는 기재가 없는 한 다른 구성요소를 제외하는 것이 아니라 다른 구성요소를 더 포함할 수 있음을 의미한다. The terms used in this specification have been selected from general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the functions in the present invention, but these may vary depending on the intention of a person skilled in the art, precedent, or the emergence of new technologies. In addition, in a specific case, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, not simply the name of the term. When it is said that a certain part "includes" a certain component throughout the specification, it means that it may further include other components without excluding other components unless otherwise stated.
아래에서는 첨부한 도면을 참고하여 실시예들에 대하여 본 발명이 속하는 기술 분야에서 통상의 지식을 가진 자가 용이하게 실시할 수 있도록 상세히 설명한다. 그러나 본 발명은 여러 가지 상이한 형태로 구현될 수 있으며 여기에서 설명하는 실시예에 한정되지 않는다. 그리고 도면에서 본 발명을 명확하게 설명하기 위해서 설명과 관계없는 부분은 생략하였으며, 명세서 전체를 통하여 유사한 부분에 대해서는 유사한 도면 부호를 붙였다. 이하, 첨부된 도면들을 참조하여 본 개시의 실시예들을 설명한다. Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. And in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and similar reference numerals are attached to similar parts throughout the specification. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
도 1은 본 개시의 일 실시예에 따른 세탁기의 사시도이다. 도 2는 이미지 획득 모듈(5)의 일 실시예의 개략적인 사시도이다. 본 실시예의 세탁기는 탑로딩 방식의 세탁기이다. 도 1과 도 2를 참조하면, 세탁기의 일 실시예는, 세탁조(2), 세탁조(2) 내부에 광을 조사하는 광원(52)과 상기 광의 반사광을 수광하는 카메라(51)를 포함하여 세탁조(2) 내부의 세탁물의 제1이미지를 획득하는 이미지 획득 모듈(5)과, 세탁을 수행하기 전에 제1이미지로부터 세탁물의 오염량을 검출하고 검출 결과에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정하는 프로세서(61)를 포함할 수 있다. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the image acquisition module 5 . The washing machine of this embodiment is a top-loading washing machine. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a washing machine includes a washing tub 2, a light source 52 for irradiating light into the washing tub 2, and a camera 51 for receiving reflected light of the light. (2) an image acquisition module 5 that acquires a first image of laundry inside, and a processor 61 that detects the amount of contamination of laundry from the first image before washing and sets washing conditions according to the detection result. can include
세탁기는 세탁조(2)를 수용하는 하우징(1)과 하우징(1)의 상부에 마련된 개구부를 개폐하는 도어(3)를 포함할 수 있다. 도어(3)를 열고 개구부를 통하여 세탁조(2)에 세탁물을 넣을 수 있다. 도면으로 도시되지는 않았지만, 하우징(1)은 세탁조(2)로 물을 공급하고 세탁조(2)로부터 물을 배출하는 급수/배수 구조, 세탁조(2) 및/또는 세탁조(2) 내부의 물과 세탁물을 회전시키는 구동 구조, 등을 포함할 수 있다. The washing machine may include a housing 1 accommodating the washing tub 2 and a door 3 opening and closing an opening provided at an upper portion of the housing 1 . The door 3 is opened and laundry can be put into the washing tub 2 through the opening. Although not shown in the drawings, the housing 1 is a water supply/drainage structure for supplying water to and discharging water from the washing tub 2, washing tub 2 and/or water inside the washing tub 2 and A driving structure for rotating laundry, and the like may be included.
세탁기는 제어부(6)를 포함할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 세탁 과정을 제어한다. 예를 들어 제어부(6)는 프로세서(61)를 포함할 수 있다. 프로세서(61)는 예를 들어 중앙 처리 장치(CPU)를 포함할 수 있다. 프로세서(61) 는 조작 패널(4) 및 세탁기의 구동 요소들, 예를 들어 세탁조(2)를 회전시키는 모터(미도시) 및 급수/배수 구조와 연결될 수 있다. 프로세서(61)는 세탁물의 오염량 및 세탁물의 양을 검출하기 위하여 이미지 획득 모듈(5)을 제어하고, 획득된 이미지에 대한 화상 처리 과정을 수행할 수 있다. 프로세서(61)는 검출 결과에 따라 세탁 조건을 설정하거나 기 설정된 세탁 조건을 조정할 수 있다. 프로세서(61)는 세탁 조건에 따라서 세탁 과정을 제어하기 위하여 세탁기의 구동 요소들을 제어할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 세탁 코스들에 관한 정보, 예를 들어 세탁 시간, 헹굼 시간, 헹굼 횟수 등을 저장하는 메모리(62)를 포함할 수 있다. 메모리(62)에는 프로세서(61)에 의하여 실행될 수 있는 제어 프로그램이 저장될 수 있다. 메모리(62)에는 후술하는 기준 명암 정보, 및 다양한 룩업 테이블이 저장될 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 카메라(51)에 의하여 획득된 이미지를 처리하는 화상 처리부를 포함할 수 있다. 화상 처리부는 제어 프로그램의 형태로 구현될 수 있다. 화상 처리부는 프로세서(61)를 포함하는 하드웨어의 형태로 구현될 수도 있다. The washing machine may include a control unit 6. The controller 6 controls the washing process. For example, the controller 6 may include a processor 61 . The processor 61 may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 61 may be connected to the control panel 4 and driving elements of the washing machine, for example, a motor (not shown) that rotates the washing tub 2 and a water supply/drainage structure. The processor 61 may control the image acquisition module 5 to detect the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry, and may perform image processing on the obtained image. The processor 61 may set washing conditions or adjust preset washing conditions according to the detection result. The processor 61 may control driving elements of the washing machine to control a washing process according to washing conditions. The controller 6 may include a memory 62 that stores information about washing courses, such as washing time, rinsing time, and the number of times of rinsing. A control program executable by the processor 61 may be stored in the memory 62 . The memory 62 may store reference contrast information and various lookup tables to be described later. The control unit 6 may include an image processing unit that processes an image acquired by the camera 51 . The image processing unit may be implemented in the form of a control program. The image processing unit may be implemented in the form of hardware including the processor 61 .
세탁물의 양과 종류에 따라 사용자가 선택 가능한 다수의 세탁 코스가 조작 패널(4)을 통하여 사용자에게 제공(표시)될 수 있다. 다수의 세탁 코스는 세탁 조건, 예를 들어 세탁 시간, 헹굼 시간 등의 다양한 조합에 의하여 구현될 수 있다. 사용자는 조작 패널(4)에 마련된 버튼 등의 조작부를 통하여 원하는 세탁 코스를 선택할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 선택된 세탁 코스에 따라서 세탁과정을 제어할 수 있다. 예를 들어, 제어부(6)는 선택된 세탁 코스에 따라서 세탁조(2)를 회전시키는 모터(미도시) 및 급수/배수 구조를 제어할 수 있다. A plurality of washing courses selectable by the user according to the amount and type of laundry may be provided (displayed) to the user through the control panel 4 . A plurality of washing courses may be implemented by various combinations of washing conditions, eg, washing time and rinsing time. A user may select a desired washing course through a control unit such as a button provided on the control panel 4 . The controller 6 may control the washing process according to the selected washing course. For example, the controller 6 may control a motor (not shown) that rotates the washing tub 2 and a water supply/drain structure according to the selected washing course.
세탁 조건은 세탁 성능 즉 오염 제거 성능과, 세탁물의 손상 정도에 영향을 미칠 수 있다. 세탁 조건은 오염을 충분히 제거할 수 있도록 설정되는 동시에 세탁물의 손상을 최소화할 수 있도록 설정될 수 있다. 이러한 점을 감안하여, 본 실시예의 세탁기는 세탁물의 오염량을 검출하고, 검출된 오염량에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정할 수 있는 구조를 가진다. 이를 위하여, 본 실시예의 세탁기는 이미지 획득 모듈(5)을 구비한다. 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 세탁조(2) 내의 세탁물의 이미지를 획득한다. Washing conditions may affect washing performance, that is, contamination removal performance, and a degree of damage to laundry. Washing conditions may be set to sufficiently remove contamination and at the same time minimize damage to laundry. Considering this point, the washing machine of the present embodiment has a structure capable of detecting the contamination amount of laundry and setting washing conditions according to the detected contamination amount. To this end, the washing machine of this embodiment is equipped with an image acquisition module 5. The image acquisition module 5 acquires an image of laundry in the washing tub 2 .
도 1과 도 2를 참조하면, 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 세탁조(2) 내부에 광을 조사하는 광원(52)과 상기 광의 반사광을 수광하는 카메라(51)를 포함할 수 있다. 카메라(51)는 반사광을 수광하고 광전 변환에 의하여 광신호를 전기적 신호로 변환하는 이미지 센서를 포함할 수 있다. 이미지 센서로서 예를 들어 CCD(charge coupled device) 이미지 센서, COMS(complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) 이미지 센서 등이 채용될 수 있다. 카메라(51)는 반사광을 이미지 센서에 결상시키는 결상광학계를 더 포함할 수 있다. 결상 광학계는 반사광을 축소하여 이미지 센서에 결상시키는 축소 결상 광학계일 수 있다. 결상 광학계는 하나 또는 둘 이상의 렌즈를 포함할 수 있다. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the image acquisition module 5 may include a light source 52 for irradiating light into the washing tub 2 and a camera 51 for receiving reflected light of the light. The camera 51 may include an image sensor that receives reflected light and converts an optical signal into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion. As the image sensor, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (COMS) image sensor, or the like may be employed. The camera 51 may further include an imaging optical system for forming an image of reflected light on an image sensor. The imaging optical system may be a reduction imaging optical system that reduces reflected light and forms an image on the image sensor. The imaging optical system may include one or more lenses.
광원(52)은 점광원일 수 있다. 광원(52)은 이미지 획득용의 제1광원(52a)을 포함할 수 있다. 제1광원(52a)은 예를 들어 자외광을 방출할 수 있다. 제1광원(52a)은 예를 들어 파장 315~400nm의 장파장(UV-A) 자외광을 방출할 수 있다. 본 실시예에서 제1광원(52a)은 파장 360~380nm의 장파장 자외광을 방출한다. 광원(52)은 살균을 위한 제2광원(52b)을 더 구비할 수 있다. 제2광원(52b)은 예를 들어 파장 100~280nm의 단파장(UV-C) 자외광을 방출할 수 있다. 본 실시예에서 제2광원(52b)은 파장 265nm의 단파장 자외광을 방출한다. 파장 265nm의 단파장 자외광은 DNA에 대하여 강한 감수성을 가지므로, 파장 265nm의 단파장 자외광이 조사되면 세균, 박테리아, 바이러스 등의 세포 핵 내의 DNA 및/또는 RNA 구조를 변화시켜, 세포 분열 기능을 정지시킨다. 이에 의하여 세균, 박테리아, 바이러스 등의 증식이 저지되어 살균이 가능하다.The light source 52 may be a point light source. The light source 52 may include a first light source 52a for image acquisition. The first light source 52a may emit, for example, ultraviolet light. The first light source 52a may emit long-wavelength (UV-A) ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 315 to 400 nm, for example. In this embodiment, the first light source 52a emits long-wavelength ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 360 to 380 nm. The light source 52 may further include a second light source 52b for sterilization. The second light source 52b may emit short-wavelength (UV-C) ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm, for example. In this embodiment, the second light source 52b emits short-wavelength ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 265 nm. Since short-wavelength ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 265 nm has a strong sensitivity to DNA, irradiation with short-wavelength ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 265 nm changes the structure of DNA and/or RNA in the cell nucleus of bacteria, bacteria, viruses, etc., and stops cell division function. let it As a result, the proliferation of germs, bacteria, viruses, etc. is prevented, and sterilization is possible.
도 2에서 두 개의 제1광원(52a)이 배치되어 있으나, 이에 의하여 발명의 범위가 한정되지 않는다. 제1광원(52a)은 1개 일 수 있으며, 2개 이상일 수도 있다. 일 예로서, 복수의 제1광원(52a)은 카메라(51)의 광축(51a)을 중심으로 하는 원호 또는 원 상에 배치될 수 있다. 복수의 제1광원(52a) 사이의 각 간격은 동일할 수 있으며, 서로 다를 수도 있다. 복수의 제1광원(52a)의 광축은 카메라(51)의 광축(51a)과 평행할 수 있다. 카메라(51)를 중심으로 하여 복수의 제1광원(52a)을 배치함으로써, 제1광원(52a)의 조사각 범위 내에서 음영 영역을 최소화하여 오염물 검출의 정확도를 향상시킬 수 있다. 또한, 이미지 획득 모듈(5)을 설치한 후에 위치 조정 공정에서 카메라(51)의 화각과 제1광원(52a)의 조사각이 한꺼번에 조정될 수 있어 조정 공정이 간소화될 수 있다. 다만, 반드시 복수의 제1광원(52a)이 카메라(51)의 광축(51a)을 중심으로 하는 원 또는 원호 상에 배치되어야 하는 것은 아니다. 조사각 범위 내에서 음영 영역을 최소화할 수 있는 한, 복수의 제1광원(52a) 중 적어도 하나는 광축(51a)으로부터의 거리가 나머지와 다를 수도 있다. Although two first light sources 52a are disposed in FIG. 2 , the scope of the invention is not limited thereby. The first light source 52a may be one or two or more. As an example, the plurality of first light sources 52a may be arranged on a circular arc or circle centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 . Each interval between the plurality of first light sources 52a may be the same or may be different from each other. Optical axes of the plurality of first light sources 52a may be parallel to the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 . By arranging the plurality of first light sources 52a with the camera 51 as the center, it is possible to improve the accuracy of contaminant detection by minimizing a shaded area within an irradiation angle range of the first light source 52a. In addition, the angle of view of the camera 51 and the angle of irradiation of the first light source 52a may be simultaneously adjusted in the position adjustment process after the image acquisition module 5 is installed, thereby simplifying the adjustment process. However, it is not necessarily necessary that the plurality of first light sources 52a be disposed on a circle or an arc centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 . As long as the shadow area can be minimized within the irradiation angle range, at least one of the plurality of first light sources 52a may have a different distance from the optical axis 51a than the others.
도 2에서 두 개의 제2광원(52b)이 배치되어 있으나, 이에 의하여 발명의 범위가 한정되지 않는다. 제2광원(52b)은 1개 일 수 있으며, 2개 이상일 수도 있다. 일 예로서, 복수의 제2광원(52b)은 카메라(51)의 광축(51a)을 중심으로 하는 원호 또는 원 상에 배치될 수 있다. 복수의 제2광원(52b) 사이의 각 간격은 동일할 수 있으며, 서로 다를 수도 있다. 복수의 제2광원(52b)의 광축은 카메라(51)의 광축(51a)과 평행할 수 있다. 카메라(51)를 중심으로 하여 복수의 제2광원(52b)을 배치함으로써, 제2광원(52b)의 조사각 범위 내에서 음영 영역을 최소화하여 살균 효과를 향상시킬 수 있다. 또한, 이미지 획득 모듈(5)을 설치한 후에 위치 조정 공정에서 카메라(51)의 화각과 제2광원(52b)의 조사각이 한꺼번에 조정될 수 있어 조정 공정이 간소화될 수 있다. 다만, 반드시 복수의 제2광원(52b)이 카메라(51)의 광축(51a)을 중심으로 하는 원 또는 원호 상에 배치되어야 하는 것은 아니다. 조사각 범위 내에서 음영 영역을 최소화할 수 있는 한, 복수의 제2광원(52b) 중 적어도 하나는 광축(51a)으로부터의 거리가 나머지와 다를 수도 있다.Although two second light sources 52b are disposed in FIG. 2 , the scope of the invention is not limited thereby. The number of second light sources 52b may be one or two or more. As an example, the plurality of second light sources 52b may be arranged on a circular arc or circle centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 . Each interval between the plurality of second light sources 52b may be the same or may be different from each other. Optical axes of the plurality of second light sources 52b may be parallel to the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 . By arranging the plurality of second light sources 52b with the camera 51 as the center, the sterilization effect can be improved by minimizing the shaded area within the irradiation angle range of the second light source 52b. In addition, the angle of view of the camera 51 and the angle of irradiation of the second light source 52b may be simultaneously adjusted in the position adjustment process after the image acquisition module 5 is installed, thereby simplifying the adjustment process. However, it is not necessarily necessary that the plurality of second light sources 52b be arranged on a circle or arc centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 . As long as the shadow area can be minimized within the irradiation angle range, at least one of the plurality of second light sources 52b may have a different distance from the optical axis 51a than the others.
도 3과 도 4는 제1광원(52a)과 제2광원(52b)의 배치 형태의 예들을 보여준다. 도 3에 도시된 바와 같이, 4개의 제1광원(52a)과 4개의 제2광원(52b)이 카메라(51)의 광축(51a)을 중심으로 하는 원(50a) 상에 배열될 수 있다. 제1광원(52a)과 제2광원(52b)은 교대로 배열될 수 있다. 도 4에 도시된 바와 같이, 4개의 제1광원(52a)은 카메라(51)의 광축(51a)을 중심으로 하는 원(50b) 상에 배열되고, 4개의 제2광원(52b)은 카메라(51)의 광축(51a)을 중심으로 하는 원(50c) 상에 배열될 수 있다. 제1광원(52a)과 제2광원(52b)의 갯수와 배치 형태는 도 3 및 도 4에 도시된 형태에 한정되지 않는다.3 and 4 show examples of the arrangement of the first light source 52a and the second light source 52b. As shown in FIG. 3 , four first light sources 52a and four second light sources 52b may be arranged on a circle 50a centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51 . The first light source 52a and the second light source 52b may be alternately arranged. As shown in FIG. 4, the four first light sources 52a are arranged on a circle 50b centered on the optical axis 51a of the camera 51, and the four second light sources 52b are arranged on the camera ( 51) may be arranged on a circle 50c centered on the optical axis 51a. The number and arrangement of the first light sources 52a and the second light sources 52b are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 세탁조(2) 내부의 세탁물을 충분히 조명할 수 있도록 배치된다. 예를 들어, 도 1에 도시된 바와 같이 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 하우징(1)의 개구부의 가장자리에 위치될 수 있다. 물론, 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 도어(3)에 설치될 수도 있다. 본 실시예의 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 광원(52)과 카메라(51)가 통합된 조립체 형태이다. 카메라(51)와 광원(52)의 광축은 서로 평행할 수 있다. 이미지 획득 모듈(5)의 위치를 조정함으로써, 카메라(51)의 촬영 범위와 광원(52)의 조사 범위가 한 번의 조정 공정에 의하여 조정될 수 있다. 따라서, 세탁기의 제조 공정에서 조사각과 화각을 조정하는 조정 공정이 간소화될 수 있다.The image acquisition module 5 is disposed to sufficiently illuminate the laundry inside the washing tub 2 . For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the image acquisition module 5 may be located at the edge of the opening of the housing 1 . Of course, the image acquisition module 5 may also be installed on the door 3. The image acquisition module 5 of this embodiment is in the form of an assembly in which a light source 52 and a camera 51 are integrated. Optical axes of the camera 51 and the light source 52 may be parallel to each other. By adjusting the position of the image acquisition module 5, the shooting range of the camera 51 and the irradiation range of the light source 52 can be adjusted in one adjustment process. Accordingly, an adjustment process of adjusting the irradiation angle and the view angle in the manufacturing process of the washing machine may be simplified.
제어부(6), 예를 들어 프로세서(61)는, 세탁을 수행하기 전에, 이미지 획득 모듈(5)에 의하여 획득된 이미지(제1이미지)로부터 세탁물의 오염량을 검출하고, 검출 결과에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정할 수 있다. 카메라(51)에 의하여 획득된 이미지는 오염물의 위치와 정도에 따른 명암 분포를 갖는다. 예를 들어 오염물은 세탁물에 비하여 상대적으로 명도가 높거나 낮을 수 있다. 메모리(62)에는 기준 이미지의 명암 분포(기준 명암 분포)가 저장되어 있을 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 획득된 이미지로부터 명암 분포를 산출하고, 산출된 명암 분포를 기준 명암 분포와 비교하고, 비교 결과에 따라서 오염량을 검출할 수 있다. 예를 들어, 제어부(6)는 검출된 명암 분포와 기준 명암 분포와의 차이(명암 차이)를 구하고, 메모리(62)에 저장된 룩업 테이블로부터 명암 차이에 대응되는 오염량을 결정할 수 있다. 일 예로서, 제어부(6)는 획득된 이미지의 명암 분포로부터 세탁물와 오염물을 구분하고, 오염물의 면적과 명도를 검출할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 메모리(62)에 저장된 룩업 테이블로부터 오염물의 면적과 명도에 대응되는 오염량을 결정할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 검출된 오염량에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정할 수 있다. 세탁 조건은, 예를 들어 세탁 시간, 헹굼 시간, 헹굼 횟수 등을 포함할 수 있다. 이와 같은 구성에 의하면, 오염물을 제거할 수 있는 최적의 세탁 조건을 설정할 수 있으므로, 과도한 세탁 및 헹굼으로 인한 세탁물의 손상이 방지될 수 있다. 또한, 세탁물의 오염량에 따라서 세탁 시간, 헹굼 시간, 헹굼 횟수 등을 최적화하여, 과도한 세탁 및 헹굼으로 인한 물, 세제, 및 에너지의 소비가 방지할 수 있다. 또한, 조명광으로서 자외선을 사용함으로써 눈에 보이지 않는 오염을 검출하여 제거할 수 있으므로 효율적이고 위생적인 세탁이 가능하다.The control unit 6, for example, the processor 61, before performing washing, detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the image (first image) acquired by the image acquisition module 5, and the washing conditions according to the detection result. can be set. An image obtained by the camera 51 has a distribution of brightness and darkness according to the location and degree of contaminants. For example, contaminants may have relatively high or low brightness compared to laundry. The memory 62 may store an intensity distribution (reference intensity distribution) of the reference image. The control unit 6 may calculate a contrast distribution from the obtained image, compare the calculated contrast distribution with a reference contrast distribution, and detect a contamination amount according to the comparison result. For example, the controller 6 may obtain a difference (contrast difference) between the detected contrast distribution and the reference contrast distribution, and determine a contamination amount corresponding to the contrast difference from a lookup table stored in the memory 62 . As an example, the controller 6 may distinguish between laundry and contaminants based on the brightness distribution of the obtained image, and detect the area and brightness of the contaminants. The control unit 6 may determine the amount of contamination corresponding to the area and lightness of the contaminant from a lookup table stored in the memory 62 . The control unit 6 may set washing conditions according to the detected amount of contamination. The washing conditions may include, for example, washing time, rinsing time, and the number of rinsing. According to this configuration, it is possible to set optimal washing conditions capable of removing contaminants, so that damage to laundry due to excessive washing and rinsing can be prevented. In addition, by optimizing the washing time, rinsing time, and rinsing frequency according to the amount of contamination of the laundry, consumption of water, detergent, and energy due to excessive washing and rinsing can be prevented. In addition, since invisible contamination can be detected and removed by using ultraviolet rays as illumination light, efficient and sanitary washing is possible.
사용자가 조작 패널(4)을 통하여 세탁 코스를 선택함으로써 세탁 조건이 기 설정된 경우에, 제어부(6), 예를 들어 프로세서(61)는 검출 결과에 따라서 기 설정된 세탁 조건을 조정(변경)할 수 있다. 예를 들어, 검출 결과에 기반하여 기 설정된 세탁 조건에서 세탁 시간, 헹굼 시간, 헹굼 횟수 등을 가감할 수 있다. 사용자는 눈으로 확인되는 오염의 정도와 세탁물의 양에 따라서 세탁 코스를 선택할 수 있다. 사용자의 임의적인 판단에 근거한 오염량은 정확하지 않을 수 있다. 또한, 눈으로 확인되지 않는 오염이 있을 수 있다. 본 실시예의 세탁기에 따르면, 세탁물의 오염량을 광학적 수단을 이용하여 검출하고, 사용자가 설정한 세탁 조건을 세탁물의 오염량에 따라서 조정함으로써 효율적인 세탁이 가능하다. 또한, 조명광으로서 자외선을 사용함으로써 눈에 보이지 않는 오염을 검출하고, 검출 결과에 따라서 세탁 조건을 조정함으로써 효율적이고 위생적인 세탁이 가능하다.When washing conditions are preset by the user selecting a wash course through the manipulation panel 4, the control unit 6, for example, the processor 61 may adjust (change) the preset wash conditions according to the detection result. have. For example, based on the detection result, a washing time, a rinsing time, a rinsing number, and the like may be increased or decreased in preset washing conditions. The user may select a washing course according to the degree of contamination visually confirmed and the amount of laundry. The contamination amount based on the user's arbitrary judgment may not be accurate. In addition, there may be contamination that is not visible to the naked eye. According to the washing machine of this embodiment, efficient washing is possible by detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry using an optical means and adjusting the washing conditions set by the user according to the amount of contamination of the laundry. In addition, efficient and sanitary washing is possible by detecting invisible contamination by using ultraviolet rays as illumination light and adjusting washing conditions according to the detection result.
검출 결과는 오염량과 세탁물의 양을 포함할 수 있다. 제어부(6), 예를 들어 프로세서(61)는 획득한 이미지로부터 세탁물의 양을 검출할 수 있다. 카메라의 화각(촬영 범위)은 일정하다. 일 실시예로서, 획득한 이미지에서 세탁물이 차지하는 면적으로부터 세탁물의 양이 검출될 수 있다. 도 5는 획득한 이미지로부터 세탁물의 양을 검출하는 과정의 일 예를 설명하는 도면이다. 도 5를 참조하면, 배경(BG)은 세탁조(2)의 내벽을 나타내며 세탁물(CB)과 명암 차이가 크다. 극명한 명암 대비를 나타내는 경계를 검출함으로써 세탁물(CB)의 외곽선을 결정할 수 있다. 세탁조(2) 내부의 세탁물(CB)의 양이 적으면 세탁물(CB)의 수위가 낮으므로 획득한 이미지 내에서 세탁물(CB)이 차지하는 면적이 작아지고 배경(BG)이 차지하는 면적은 커진다. 이 경우, 참조부호 BL1으로 표시된 바와 같이 외곽선이 검출될 수 있다. 외곽선(BL1)의 내부 면적을 계산하면 세탁물(CB)이 차지하는 면적을 산출할 수 있다. 반대로 세탁조(2) 내부의 세탁물(CB)의 양이 많으면 세탁물(CB)의 수위가 높으므로 획득한 이미지 내에서 세탁물(CB)이 차지하는 면적이 커지고 배경(BG)이 차지하는 면적은 작아진다. 이 경우, 참조부호 BL2으로 표시된 바와 같이 외곽선이 검출될 수 있다. 외곽선(BL2)의 내부 면적을 계산하면 세탁물(CB)이 차지하는 면적을 산출할 수 있다. 세탁물(CB)의 면적과 세탁물(CB)의 양과의 관계는 룩업 테이블의 형태로 메모리(62)에 미리 저장되어 있을 수 있다. 제어부(6), 예를 들어 프로세서(61)는 산출된 세탁물(CB)의 면적으로부터 룩업 테이블을 참조하여 세탁물(CB)의 양을 결정할 수 있다. 제어부(6), 예를 들어 프로세서(61)는 검출된 오염량과 세탁물(CB)의 양에 기반하여 세탁 조건을 설정할 수 있다. 물론 제어부(6), 예를 들어 프로세서(61)는 사용자에 의하여 기 설정된 세탁 조건을 조정(변경)할 수도 있다.The detection result may include the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry. The controller 6, for example, the processor 61 may detect the amount of laundry from the acquired image. The angle of view (shooting range) of the camera is constant. As an example, the amount of laundry may be detected from an area occupied by laundry in the acquired image. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of detecting the amount of laundry from an acquired image. Referring to FIG. 5 , the background BG represents the inner wall of the washing tub 2 and has a large difference in contrast from that of the laundry CB. An outline of the laundry CB may be determined by detecting a boundary representing a sharp contrast between light and dark. If the amount of laundry CB in the washing tub 2 is small, the water level of the laundry CB is low, so the area occupied by the laundry CB in the acquired image becomes smaller and the area occupied by the background BG increases. In this case, the outline may be detected as indicated by reference numeral BL1. By calculating the inner area of the outline BL1, the area occupied by the laundry CB can be calculated. Conversely, if the amount of laundry CB inside the washing tub 2 is large, the water level of the laundry CB is high, so the area occupied by the laundry CB in the acquired image increases and the area occupied by the background BG decreases. In this case, the outline may be detected as indicated by reference numeral BL2. The area occupied by the laundry CB can be calculated by calculating the inner area of the outline BL2. The relationship between the area of the laundry CB and the amount of laundry CB may be previously stored in the memory 62 in the form of a look-up table. The controller 6, for example, the processor 61 may determine the amount of laundry CB by referring to the look-up table from the calculated area of the laundry CB. The controller 6, for example, the processor 61 may set a washing condition based on the detected amount of contamination and the amount of laundry CB. Of course, the controller 6, for example, the processor 61 may adjust (change) preset washing conditions by the user.
제어부(6), 예를 들어 프로세서(61)는 세탁을 수행한 후에, 이미지 획득 모듈(5)을 이용하여 세탁물의 이미지(제2이미지)를 획득하고 획득된 이미지로부터 세탁물의 오염량을 재검출할 수 있다. 제2이미지를 획득하고 제2이미지로부터 오염량을 재검출하는 과정은 전술한 제1이미지를 획득하고 제1이미지로부터 오염량을 검출하는 과정과 동일할 수 있다. 제어부(6), 예를 들어 프로세서(61)는 재검출된 오염량에 따라서 추가 세탁의 수행 여부를 결정할 수 있다. 예를 들어 제어부(6)는 재검출된 오염량이 메모리(62)에 저장된 기준 오염량보다 큰 경우, 추가 세탁을 수행할 수 있다. 추가 세탁은 예를 들어 헹굼을 포함할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 재검출된 오염량에 따라서 헹굼 시간, 헹굼 횟수 중 적어도 하나를 설정하고 추가 세탁을 수행하도록 세탁기를 제어할 수 있다. 이와 같은 구성에 의하여, 세탁 후에 잔류하는 오염물과 세제를 제거하여, 높은 세탁 효과를 얻을 수 있으며, 위생적인 세탁이 가능하다.After washing, the controller 6, for example, the processor 61, acquires an image (second image) of the laundry using the image acquisition module 5 and re-detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the acquired image. can A process of acquiring the second image and re-detecting the amount of contamination from the second image may be the same as the above-described process of acquiring the first image and detecting the amount of contamination from the first image. The controller 6, for example, the processor 61 may determine whether to perform additional washing according to the re-detected amount of contamination. For example, the controller 6 may perform additional washing when the re-detected contamination amount is greater than the reference contamination amount stored in the memory 62 . Additional washing may include, for example, rinsing. The controller 6 may set at least one of a rinsing time and a rinsing number according to the re-detected amount of contamination and control the washing machine to perform additional washing. With this configuration, contaminants and detergents remaining after washing can be removed, and a high washing effect can be obtained, and sanitary washing can be performed.
도 6은 이미지 획득 모듈(5)의 일 실시예의 사시도이다. 도 6을 참조하면, 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 복수의 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 포함할 수 있다. 복수의 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)는 각각 레드, 옐로우, 그린 필터일 수 있다. 복수의 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)는 순차로 카메라(51)의 광경로 상에 위치된다. 일 실시예로서, 복수의 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)는 구동 모터(53)에 의하여 회전되어 순차로 카메라(51)의 광경로 상에 위치될 수 있다. 복수의 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 순차로 카메라(51)의 광경로 상에 위치시키고, 복수의 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G) 각각을 통과한 광을 카메라(51)로 수광하여 복수의 이미지를 획득할 수 있다. 이와 같은 구성에 의하면, 배경 반사광을 줄여서 다양한 종류의 오염물, 예를 들어, 지성 오염물, 수성 오염물, 형광 물질, 등을 용이하게 식별할 수 있다. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the image acquisition module 5 . Referring to FIG. 6 , the image acquisition module 5 may include a plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G. The plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G may be red, yellow, and green filters, respectively. A plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G are sequentially placed on the optical path of the camera 51. As an example, the plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G may be rotated by the driving motor 53 and sequentially positioned on the optical path of the camera 51. A plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G are sequentially positioned on an optical path of the camera 51, and light passing through each of the plurality of color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G is transmitted to the camera 51. ) to obtain a plurality of images. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily identify various types of contaminants, for example, oily contaminants, water-based contaminants, fluorescent substances, and the like, by reducing background reflected light.
칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 적용하여 획득된 이미지들은 서로 다른 명암 분포를 가질 수 있다. 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 적용하여 획득된 이미지들은 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 적용하지 않고 획득된 이미지와 다른 명암 분포를 가질 수 있다. 이는, 오염물의 종류에 따라 광의 반사도가 서로 다르기 때문이다. 따라서, 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 적용함으로써, 오염물의 배경이 되는 부분의 반사광이 제거되어 오염물이 더 잘 검출될 수 있으며, 서로 다른 반사 특성을 갖는 다양한 종류의 오염물이 검출될 수 있다. 일 예로서, 제어부(6)는 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 적용하여 획득한 복수의 이미지를 합성하여 합성된 이미지로부터 명암 분포를 산출할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 산출된 명암 분포를 기준 명암 분포와 비교하고, 비교 결과에 따라서 오염량을 검출할 수 있다. 일 예로서, 제어부(6)는 복수의 이미지들의 명암 분포를 산출하고, 산출된 명암 분포들을 합산하여 최종 명암 분포를 산출할 수 있다. 그런 다음, 제어부(6)는 최종 명암 분포와 기준 명암 분포와 비교하고, 비교 결과에 따라서 오염량을 검출할 수도 있다. 일 예로서, 제어부(6)는 복수의 이미지의 명암 분포로부터 세탁물과 오염물을 구분하고, 오염물의 면적과 명도를 검출할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 메모리(62)에 저장된 룩업 테이블로부터 오염물의 면적과 명도에 대응되는 오염량을 결정할 수 있다. 이외에도 다른 다양한 방법에 의하여 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 통과한 광을 수광하여 획득한 복수의 이미지로부터 오염량을 검출할 수 있다. 사용자는 눈으로 세탁물의 오염을 확인하고 세탁 조건을 설정할 수 있는데, 칼라 필터를 적용하면 눈으로 보이지 않는 오염물을 검출할 수 있어 오염물을 제거하기에 더 적절한 세탁 조건을 설정할 수 있다. 따라서, 효과적이고 위생적인 세탁이 가능하다. Images obtained by applying the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G may have different contrast distributions. Images obtained by applying the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G may have a different intensity distribution from images obtained without applying the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G. This is because light reflectivity is different depending on the type of contaminant. Therefore, by applying the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G, the reflected light of the part that becomes the background of the contaminant is removed, so that the contaminant can be better detected, and various types of contaminants having different reflection characteristics can be detected. can As an example, the controller 6 may synthesize a plurality of images acquired by applying the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G, and calculate a contrast distribution from the synthesized images. The control unit 6 may compare the calculated intensity distribution with a reference intensity distribution, and detect the contamination amount according to the comparison result. As an example, the controller 6 may calculate the intensity distribution of a plurality of images, and calculate the final intensity distribution by summing the calculated intensity distributions. Then, the control unit 6 may compare the final intensity distribution with the reference intensity distribution and detect the contamination amount according to the comparison result. As an example, the controller 6 may classify laundry and contaminants from the brightness distribution of a plurality of images, and detect the area and brightness of the contaminants. The control unit 6 may determine the amount of contamination corresponding to the area and lightness of the contaminant from a lookup table stored in the memory 62 . In addition, the amount of contamination may be detected from a plurality of images obtained by receiving light passing through the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G by various other methods. The user can check the contamination of the laundry with his eyes and set washing conditions. When a color filter is applied, it is possible to detect contaminants invisible to the naked eye, so that washing conditions more suitable for removing the contaminants can be set. Therefore, effective and sanitary washing is possible.
이하에서, 세탁기의 제어 방법의 실시예들을 설명한다. 도 7은 세탁기의 제어 방법의 일 예의 흐름도이다. 도 1 내지 도 7을 참조하면, 세탁기의 제어 방법의 일 실시예는, 제1광원(52a)으로부터 세탁조(2) 내부의 세탁물에 광을 조사하고 카메라(51)를 이용하여 세탁물의 제1이미지를 획득하는 단계(S110)와, 제1이미지로부터 세탁물의 오염량을 검출하는 단계(S120)와, 검출 결과에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정하는 단계(S130)를 포함할 수 있다.Hereinafter, embodiments of a control method for a washing machine will be described. 7 is a flowchart of an example of a method for controlling a washing machine. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7 , in an embodiment of a method for controlling a washing machine, light is irradiated from a first light source 52a to laundry inside the washing tub 2, and a first image of the laundry is obtained using a camera 51. It may include obtaining (S110), detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry from the first image (S120), and setting washing conditions according to the detection result (S130).
사용자는 도어(3)를 열고 세탁조(2)에 세탁물을 투입할 수 있다. 조작 패널(4)을 통하여 세탁 시작 명령이 입력되면, 제어부(6)는 이미지 획득 모듈(5)을 이용하여 세탁물의 이미지(제1이미지)를 획득한다. 예를 들어, 제어부(6)는 제1광원(52a)을 제어하여 세탁조(2) 내부에 광을 조사한다. 광은 예를 들어 파장 360~380nm의 장파장 자외광일 수 있다. 카메라(51)는 세탁물로부터 반사된 광을 수광하고 광전 변환 과정을 거쳐 광신호를 전기 신호로 변환한다. 전기 신호는 예를 들어 증폭기, 아날로그-디지털 변환기를 거쳐서 디지털 신호로 변환된다. 제어부(6)는 디지털 신호로부터 제1이미지의 데이터를 얻을 수 있다.A user may open the door 3 and put laundry into the washing tub 2 . When a wash start command is input through the manipulation panel 4, the control unit 6 acquires an image (first image) of the laundry using the image acquisition module 5. For example, the controller 6 controls the first light source 52a to radiate light into the washing tub 2 . The light may be, for example, long-wavelength ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 360 to 380 nm. The camera 51 receives the light reflected from the laundry and converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through a photoelectric conversion process. The electrical signal is converted into a digital signal via an amplifier or an analog-to-digital converter, for example. The controller 6 can obtain data of the first image from the digital signal.
도 6에 도시된 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 구비하는 이미지 획득 모듈(5)이 채용된 경우, 제어부(6)는 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 순차로 카메라(51)의 광경로 상에 위치시키고, 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 각각 적용한 제1이미지들을 얻을 수 있다. 예를 들어, 제어부(6)는 카메라(51)의 광경로에 먼저 예를 들어 칼라 필터(54R)를 위치시키고 카메라(51)를 이용하여 세탁물로부터 반사된 광을 수광하고 광전 변환-증폭-AD변환 과정을 거쳐서 칼라 필터(54R)를 적용한 제1이미지의 디지털 신호를 얻는다. 다음으로, 제어부(6)는 카메라(51)의 광경로에 칼라 필터(54Y)를 위치시키고 칼라 필터(54Y)를 적용한 제1이미지의 디지털 신호를 얻는다. 다음으로, 제어부(6)는 카메라(51)의 광경로에 칼라 필터(54G)를 위치시키고 칼라 필터(54G)를 적용한 제1이미지의 디지털 신호를 얻는다. 제어부(6)는 칼라 필터(54R)(54Y)(54G)를 적용한 제1이미지들의 디지털 신호들로부터 제1이미지의 데이터를 얻을 수 있다.When the image acquisition module 5 having the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G shown in FIG. 6 is employed, the controller 6 sequentially applies the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G to the camera. 51, and the first images to which the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G are applied, respectively, can be obtained. For example, the control unit 6 first places, for example, a color filter 54R in an optical path of the camera 51, receives the light reflected from the laundry using the camera 51, and photoelectric conversion-amplification-AD Through the conversion process, a digital signal of the first image to which the color filter 54R is applied is obtained. Next, the controller 6 places the color filter 54Y on the optical path of the camera 51 and obtains a digital signal of the first image to which the color filter 54Y is applied. Next, the controller 6 places the color filter 54G on the optical path of the camera 51 and obtains a digital signal of the first image to which the color filter 54G is applied. The controller 6 may obtain data of the first image from digital signals of the first images to which the color filters 54R, 54Y, and 54G are applied.
다음으로, 제어부(6)는 제1이미지의 데이터를 이용하여 오염량을 검출한다. 일 예로서, 제어부(6)는 제1이미지 데이터로부터 오염물의 위치와 정도에 따른 명암 분포를 검출하고, 메모리(62)에 저장된 기준 명암 분포와 비교하고, 비교 결과에 따라서 오염량을 검출할 수 있다. 예를 들어, 제어부(6)는 검출된 명암 분포와 기준 명암 분포와의 차이(명암 차이)를 구하고, 메모리(62)에 저장된 룩업 테이블로부터 명암 차이에 대응되는 오염량을 결정할 수 있다. 일 예로서, 제어부(6)는 획득된 이미지의 명암 분포로부터 세탁물와 오염물을 구분하고 오염물의 면적과 명도를 검출한 후에, 메모리(62)에 저장된 룩업 테이블로부터 오염물의 면적과 명도에 대응되는 오염량을 결정할 수 있다. Next, the controller 6 detects the amount of contamination using the data of the first image. As an example, the control unit 6 may detect the intensity distribution according to the location and degree of contaminants from the first image data, compare them with the reference intensity distribution stored in the memory 62, and detect the amount of contamination according to the comparison result. . For example, the controller 6 may obtain a difference (contrast difference) between the detected contrast distribution and the reference contrast distribution, and determine a contamination amount corresponding to the contrast difference from a lookup table stored in the memory 62 . As an example, the controller 6 classifies laundry and contaminants from the brightness distribution of the acquired image, detects the area and lightness of the contaminants, and then determines the amount of contamination corresponding to the area and brightness of the contaminants from a look-up table stored in the memory 62. can decide
세탁기의 제어 방법의 일 실시예는, 제1이미지로부터 세탁물의 양을 검출하는 단계(S150)를 더 구비할 수 있다. 예를 들어, 제어부(6)는 도 5에 도시된 바와 같이 제1이미지로부터 배경(BG)과 세탁물(CB)과의 명암차이를 이용하여 세탁물(CB)의 외곽선(BL1 또는 BL2)을 결정하고, 외곽선(BL1 또는 BL2) 내의 면적을 산출할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 산출된 면적으로부터 메모리(62)의 룩업 테이블을 참조하여 세탁물(CB)의 양을 결정할 수 있다. According to an embodiment of the method for controlling the washing machine, the step of detecting the amount of laundry from the first image (S150) may be further included. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the controller 6 determines the outline BL1 or BL2 of the laundry CB by using a contrast difference between the background BG and the laundry CB from the first image, and , the area within the outline BL1 or BL2 can be calculated. The controller 6 may determine the amount of laundry CB by referring to the look-up table of the memory 62 based on the calculated area.
다음으로, 제어부(6)는 검출 결과, 즉 오염량, 또는 오염량과 세탁물의 양에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정(S130)할 수 있다. 세탁 조건은, 예를 들어 세탁 시간, 헹굼 시간, 헹굼 횟수 등을 포함할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 설정된 세탁 조건에 따라서 세탁을 수행하도록 세탁기를 제어한다(S140). 세탁 과정은 예를 들어 세척, 헹굼, 탈수를 포함할 수 있다. 세탁이 완료되면, 제어부(6)는 조작 패널(4)을 통하여 세탁 완료를 나타내는 시각적, 청각적 신호를 발생시킬 수 있다. 세탁물의 오염량, 또는 오염량과 세탁물의 양을 검출하여 오염물을 제거할 수 있는 최적의 세탁 조건을 설정할 수 있으므로, 과도한 세탁 시간으로 인한 세탁물의 손상이 방지될 수 있다. 또한, 세탁물의 오염량에 따라서 세탁 시간을 최적화하여, 과도한 세탁 시간으로 인한 에너지 소비의 증가를 방지할 수 있다. Next, the controller 6 may set washing conditions according to the detection result, that is, the amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry (S130). The washing conditions may include, for example, washing time, rinsing time, and the number of rinsing. The controller 6 controls the washing machine to perform washing according to set washing conditions (S140). The washing process may include, for example, washing, rinsing, and spin-drying. When washing is completed, the control unit 6 may generate a visual and audible signal indicating completion of washing through the manipulation panel 4 . Since the amount of contamination of the laundry or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry may be detected, an optimal washing condition capable of removing the contamination may be set, and thus damage to the laundry due to excessive washing time may be prevented. In addition, by optimizing the washing time according to the amount of contamination of the laundry, an increase in energy consumption due to excessive washing time may be prevented.
세탁기의 제어 방법의 일 실시예는, 세탁을 수행한 후에 제2광원(52b)으로부터 세탁조(2) 내부에 살균용 광을 조사하여 살균하는 단계(S160)를 더 포함할 수 있다. 제2광원(52b)는 예를 들어 파장 265nm의 단파장 자외광을 방출할 수 있다. 파장 265nm의 단파장 자외광은 DNA에 대하여 강한 감수성을 가지므로, 파장 265nm의 단파장 자외광이 조사되면 세균, 박테리아, 바이러스 등의 세포 핵 내의 DNA 및/또는 RNA 구조를 변화시켜, 세포 분열 기능을 정지시킨다. 이에 의하여 세균, 박테리아, 바이러스 등의 증식이 저지된다. 따라서, 세탁조(2) 내부 및 세탁물의 살균이 가능하다.One embodiment of the control method of the washing machine may further include a step of sterilizing the inside of the washing tub 2 by irradiating light for sterilization from the second light source 52b to sterilize after washing (S160). The second light source 52b may emit short-wavelength ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 265 nm, for example. Since short-wavelength ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 265 nm has a strong sensitivity to DNA, irradiation with short-wavelength ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 265 nm changes the structure of DNA and/or RNA in the cell nucleus of bacteria, bacteria, viruses, etc., and stops cell division function. let it This prevents the growth of germs, bacteria, viruses and the like. Therefore, it is possible to sterilize the inside of the washing tub 2 and the laundry.
도 8은 세탁기의 제어 방법의 일 실시예의 흐름도이다. 도 8을 참조하면, S110, S120, S130, S140, S150, S160의 단계는 도 7에서 설명한 바와 동일하다. 본 실시예의 세탁기의 제어 방법은, 세탁을 수행한 후에 제1광원(52a)으로부터 세탁조(2) 내부의 세탁물에 광을 조사하고 카메라(51)를 이용하여 세탁물의 제2이미지를 획득하는 단계(S210), 및 제2이미지로부터 세탁물의 오염량을 재검출하고 재검출 결과에 따라서 추가 세탁의 수행(S230) 여부를 결정하는 단계(S220)를 포함할 수 있다. 8 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8 , steps S110, S120, S130, S140, S150, and S160 are the same as those described in FIG. 7 . The washing machine control method according to the present embodiment includes the steps of radiating light from a first light source 52a to laundry inside the washing tub 2 after washing, and obtaining a second image of the laundry using a camera 51 ( S210), and a step of re-detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry from the second image and determining whether to perform additional washing (S230) according to the re-detection result (S220).
제어부(6)는 세탁을 수행한 후에 오염물이 잘 제거되었는지, 세탁물에 세제가 잔류하는지 여부를 검출할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 카메라(51)를 이용하여 세탁물의 제2이미지를 획득하고 제2이미지로부터 세탁물의 오염량을 재검출한다. 오염은 제거되지 않은 오염과 잔류 세제를 의미할 수 있다. 제2이미지를 획득하는 과정은 전술한 제1이미지를 획득하는 과정과 동일하다. 오염량을 재검출하는 과정은 제1이미지로부터 오염량을 검출하는 과정과 동일하다. 제어부(6)는 재검출된 오염량에 따라서 추가 세탁의 수행 여부를 결정할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 재검출된 오염량이 예를 들어 메모리(62)에 저장된 기준 오염량보다 큰 경우, 추가 세탁을 수행할 수 있다. 추가 세탁은 예를 들어 헹굼을 포함할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 재검출된 오염량에 따라서 헹굼 시간, 헹굼 횟수 중 적어도 하나를 설정하고 추가 세탁을 수행하도록 세탁기를 제어할 수 있다. 추가 세탁이 완료된 후에 살균 단계(S160)가 수행될 수 있다. 이와 같은 구성에 의하여, 세탁 후에 잔류하는 오염물과 세제를 제거하여, 위생적인 세탁이 가능하다. 제어부(6)는 재검출된 오염량이 기준 오염량보다 작은 경우, 추가 세탁을 수행하지 않고 살균 단계(S160)를 수행하도록 세탁기를 제어할 수 있다. The controller 6 may detect whether contaminants are well removed after washing and whether detergent remains in the laundry. The controller 6 acquires a second image of the laundry using the camera 51 and re-detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the second image. Contamination can refer to contamination and residual detergents that have not been removed. The process of acquiring the second image is the same as the process of obtaining the first image described above. The process of re-detecting the amount of contamination is the same as the process of detecting the amount of contamination from the first image. The controller 6 may determine whether to perform additional washing according to the re-detected contamination amount. The controller 6 may perform additional washing when the re-detected contamination amount is greater than the reference contamination amount stored in the memory 62, for example. Additional washing may include, for example, rinsing. The controller 6 may set at least one of a rinsing time and a rinsing number according to the re-detected amount of contamination and control the washing machine to perform additional washing. A sterilization step ( S160 ) may be performed after additional washing is completed. With this configuration, contaminants and detergent remaining after washing are removed, so that sanitary washing is possible. When the re-detected contamination amount is smaller than the reference contamination amount, the controller 6 may control the washing machine to perform the sterilization step (S160) without performing additional washing.
도 9는 세탁기의 제어 방법의 일 실시예의 흐름도이다. 도 9를 참조하면, S110, S120, S130, S140, S150, S160, S210, S220, S230의 단계는 도 7 및 도 8에서 설명한 바와 동일하다. 본 실시예의 세탁기의 제어 방법은, 제1이미지로부터 오염량을 검출한 후에 세탁 조건을 설정하는 과정에서 전술한 세탁기의 제어 방법의 실시예들과 차이가 있다. 사용자는 세탁물을 세탁조에 투입한 후에 조작 패널(4)을 통하여 제공되는 다수의 세탁 코스 중에서 하나를 선택할 수 있다. 사용자는 세척 시간, 헹굼 시간, 헹굼 횟수를 개별적으로 선택함으로써 조작 패널(4)을 통하여 제공되는 다수의 세탁 코스와는 다른 세탁 조건을 설정할 수도 있다. 제어부(6)는 세탁물의 제1이미지로부터 오염량, 또는 오염량과 세탁물의 양을 검출한 후에, 기 설정된 세탁 조건이 있는지 여부를 판단한다(S310). 기 설정된 세탁 조건이 없는 경우에 제어부(6)는 검출된 오염량, 또는 오염량과 세탁물의 양에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정하고(S130) 세탁을 수행하도록 세탁기를 제어한다(S140). 기 설정된 세탁 조건이 있는 경우에 제어부(6)는 검출된 오염량, 또는 오염량과 세탁물의 양에 따라서 기 설정된 세탁 조건이 적절한지 여부를 판단한다(S320). 기 설정된 세탁 조건이 적절한 경우 제어부(6)는 기 설정된 세탁 조건에 따라서 세탁을 수행하도록 세탁기를 제어한다. 기 설정된 세탁 조건이 부적절한 경우, 제어부(6)는 검출된 오염량, 또는 오염량과 세탁물의 양에 따라서 세탁 조건을 조정(변경)한다(S330). 세탁 조건의 조정은 예를 들어 세탁 시간의 가감, 헹굼 시간의 가감, 헹굼 횟수의 가감 등을 포함할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 조정된 세탁 조건에 따라서 세탁을 수행(S140)하도록 세탁기를 제어한다. 이와 같은 구성에 의하면, 사용자가 세탁 코스를 잘못 선택한 경우에 오염량 또는 오염량과 세탁물의 양에 따라서 세탁 조건을 조정할 수 있다. 따라서, 오염이 잘 제거된 효과적인 세탁이 가능하며, 과도한 세탁으로 인한 세탁물의 손상을 방지할 수 있으며, 에너지 낭비를 줄일 수 있다.9 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9 , steps S110, S120, S130, S140, S150, S160, S210, S220, and S230 are the same as those described in FIGS. 7 and 8 . The washing machine control method of the present embodiment is different from the above-described washing machine control methods in the process of setting washing conditions after detecting the amount of contamination from the first image. A user may select one of a plurality of washing courses provided through the operation panel 4 after putting laundry into the washing tub. The user may set washing conditions different from the plurality of washing courses provided through the operation panel 4 by individually selecting washing time, rinsing time, and the number of times of rinsing. The controller 6 detects the amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry from the first image of the laundry, and then determines whether a preset washing condition exists (S310). When there is no preset washing condition, the controller 6 sets washing conditions according to the detected amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry (S130) and controls the washing machine to perform washing (S140). When there are preset washing conditions, the controller 6 determines whether the preset washing conditions are appropriate according to the detected amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry (S320). When the preset washing conditions are appropriate, the controller 6 controls the washing machine to perform washing according to the preset washing conditions. If the preset washing conditions are inappropriate, the control unit 6 adjusts (changes) the washing conditions according to the detected amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry (S330). Adjustment of washing conditions may include, for example, increasing or decreasing washing time, rinsing time, or rinsing number. The controller 6 controls the washing machine to perform washing according to the adjusted washing conditions (S140). According to this configuration, when the user selects the wrong washing course, the washing conditions can be adjusted according to the amount of contamination or the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry. Therefore, it is possible to perform effective washing with well-removed stains, prevent damage to laundry due to excessive washing, and reduce energy waste.
세탁이 완료되면, 제어부(6)는 S210, S220, S230의 단계에 따라서 세탁물의 제2이미지를 획득하고, 제2이미지로부터 오염량을 재검출하고, 재검출 결과에 따라서 추가 세탁 여부를 결정할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 추가 세탁을 수행한 후에 살균 단계(S160)를 수행하도록 세탁기를 제어할 수 있다.When washing is completed, the controller 6 may acquire a second image of the laundry according to steps S210, S220, and S230, re-detect the amount of contamination from the second image, and determine whether to perform additional washing according to the re-detection result. . The controller 6 may control the washing machine to perform the sterilization step (S160) after performing additional washing.
도 10은 본 개시의 일 실시예에 따른 세탁기의 개략적인 사시도이다. 본 실시예의 세탁기는 드럼방식의 세탁기이다. 도 10을 참조하면, 세탁기의 일 실시예는, 세탁조(2), 세탁조(2) 내부에 광을 조사하고 반사광을 수광하여 세탁조(2) 내부의 세탁물의 이미지를 획득하는 이미지 획득 모듈(5)과, 세탁을 수행하기 전에 이미지로부터 세탁물의 오염량을 검출하고 검출 결과에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정하는 제어부(6)를 포함할 수 있다. 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 도 1 sowl eh 4, 및 도 6에서 설명한 바와 동일하다. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The washing machine of this embodiment is a drum type washing machine. Referring to FIG. 10 , an embodiment of a washing machine includes a washing tub 2 and an image acquisition module 5 for acquiring an image of laundry inside the washing tub 2 by irradiating light into the washing tub 2 and receiving reflected light. and a control unit 6 that detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the image before washing and sets washing conditions according to the detection result. The image acquisition module 5 is the same as described in FIG. 1 sowl eh 4 and FIG. 6 .
세탁기는 세탁조(2)를 수용하는 하우징(1)과, 하우징(1)의 측부에 마련된 개구부를 개폐하는 도어(3)를 포함할 수 있다. 도어(3)를 열고 세탁조(2)에 세탁물을 넣을 수 있다. 도면으로 도시되지는 않았지만, 하우징(1)은 세탁조(2)로 물을 공급하고 세탁조(2)로부터 물을 배출하는 급수/배수 구조, 세탁조(2) 또는 세탁조(2) 내부의 물과 세탁물을 회전시키는 구동 구조, 등을 포함할 수 있다. 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 세탁조(2) 내부를 조명하고 이미지를 획득할 수 있는 적절한 위치에 위치될 수 있다. 예를 들어, 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 도어(3)에 의하여 개폐되는 하우징(21)의 개구부의 가장자리에 위치될 수 있다. 물론, 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 도어(3)에 위치될 수도 있다. The washing machine may include a housing 1 accommodating the washing tub 2 and a door 3 opening and closing an opening provided on a side of the housing 1 . The door 3 can be opened and laundry can be put into the washing tub 2. Although not shown in the drawing, the housing 1 is a water supply/drainage structure for supplying water to the washing tub 2 and discharging water from the washing tub 2, and a washing tub 2 or water and laundry inside the washing tub 2. It may include a driving structure that rotates, and the like. The image acquisition module 5 may be positioned at an appropriate location capable of illuminating the inside of the washing tub 2 and acquiring an image. For example, the image acquisition module 5 may be located at the edge of an opening of the housing 21 opened and closed by the door 3 . Of course, the image acquisition module 5 may also be located on the door 3 .
세탁기는 제어부(6)를 포함할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 세탁 과정을 제어한다. 예를 들어 제어부(6)는 프로세서(61)를 포함할 수 있다. 프로세서(61)는 조작 패널(4) 및 세탁기의 구동 요소들, 예를 들어 세탁조(2)를 회전시키는 모터(미도시) 및 급수/배수 구조와 연결될 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 세탁 코스들에 관한 정보, 예를 들어 세탁 시간, 헹굼 시간, 헹굼 횟수 등을 저장하는 메모리(62)를 포함할 수 있다. 메모리(62)에는 프로세서(61)에서 실행가능한 제어 프로그램이 저장될 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 사용자에 의하여 선택된 세탁 코스의 세탁 조건, 또는 오염량에 따라 설정 또는 조정된 세탁 조건에 따라서 세탁과정을 제어할 수 있다. 예를 들어, 제어부(6)는 선택된 세탁 코스에 따라서 세탁조(2)를 회전시키는 모터(미도시) 및 급수/배수 구조를 제어할 수 있다. 제어부(6)는 카메라(51)에 의하여 획득된 이미지를 처리하는 이미지 처리부를 포함할 수 있다. 화상 처리부는 제어 프로그램의 형태로 구현될 수 있다. 화상 처리부는 하드웨어의 형태로 구현될 수도 있다. The washing machine may include a control unit 6. The controller 6 controls the washing process. For example, the controller 6 may include a processor 61 . The processor 61 may be connected to the control panel 4 and driving elements of the washing machine, for example, a motor (not shown) rotating the washing tub 2 and a water supply/drainage structure. The controller 6 may include a memory 62 that stores information about washing courses, such as washing time, rinsing time, and the number of times of rinsing. A control program executable by the processor 61 may be stored in the memory 62 . The controller 6 may control the washing process according to the washing conditions of the washing course selected by the user or the washing conditions set or adjusted according to the amount of contamination. For example, the controller 6 may control a motor (not shown) that rotates the washing tub 2 and a water supply/drain structure according to the selected washing course. The control unit 6 may include an image processing unit that processes an image acquired by the camera 51 . The image processing unit may be implemented in the form of a control program. The image processing unit may be implemented in the form of hardware.
이미지 획득 모듈(5)과, 획득한 이미지로부터 오염량을 검출하고 검출 결과에 따라 세탁기를 제어하는 제어부(6)를 포함하는 기술 사상은 공기 및 진동을 이용하여 의류의 오염을 제거하는 의류 처리기에도 적용될 수 있다. 이 경우, 하우징(1) 내에는 의류를 수용하는 수용부와, 의류를 진동시키는 진동 발생기, 수용부 내에 열풍을 공급하는 열풍 공급기 등을 포함할 수 있다. 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 수용부 내의 의류에 광을 조사하고 반사광으로부터 의류의 이미지를 획득한다. 제어부(6)는 획득된 이미지로부터 의류의 오염량을 검출하고, 검출 결과에 따라서 의류의 처리 조건, 예를 들어 진동 강도, 열풍의 온도, 열풍 공급 시간 등을 설정할 수 있다. 기설정된 처리 조건이 있는 경우 제어부(6)는 검출 결과에 따라서 처리 조건을 조정할 수 있다. 이미지 획득 모듈(5)은 의류 처리가 수행되는 동안에 제2광원(52b)을 이용하여 단파장 자외광을 의류에 조사하여 살균할 수 있다. The technical idea including the image acquisition module 5 and the control unit 6 that detects the amount of contamination from the acquired image and controls the washing machine according to the detection result can also be applied to a clothes handler that removes contamination from clothes using air and vibration. can In this case, the housing 1 may include an accommodating portion accommodating clothes, a vibration generator vibrating the clothes, and a hot air supplier supplying hot air into the accommodating portion. The image acquisition module 5 radiates light to the clothing in the accommodating unit and obtains an image of the clothing from the reflected light. The control unit 6 may detect the amount of contamination of the clothes from the acquired image, and may set treatment conditions for the clothes, such as vibration intensity, hot air temperature, hot air supply time, etc., according to the detection result. When there are preset processing conditions, the controller 6 can adjust the processing conditions according to the detection result. The image acquisition module 5 may sterilize the clothes by irradiating the clothes with short-wavelength ultraviolet light using the second light source 52b while the clothes are being treated.
이상에서 실시예들에 대하여 상세하게 설명하였지만 본 발명의 권리범위는 이에 한정되는 것은 아니고 다음의 청구범위에서 정의하고 있는 본 발명의 기본 개념을 이용한 당업자의 여러 변형 및 개량 형태 또한 본 발명의 권리범위에 속한다.Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims are also within the scope of the present invention. belongs to
Claims (15)
- 세탁조;washing tub;상기 세탁조 내부에 광을 조사하는 광원과 상기 광의 반사광을 수광하는 카메라를 포함하여, 상기 세탁조 내부의 세탁물의 제1이미지를 획득하는 이미지 획득 모듈;an image acquisition module including a light source for radiating light into the washing tub and a camera for receiving reflected light of the light to acquire a first image of laundry inside the washing tub;세탁을 수행하기 전에 상기 제1이미지로부터 상기 세탁물의 오염량을 검출하고, 검출 결과에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정하는 프로세서;를 포함하는 세탁기.A washing machine comprising: a processor which detects the amount of contamination of the laundry from the first image before washing, and sets washing conditions according to the detection result.
- 제1항에 있어서,According to claim 1,상기 프로세서는 상기 제1이미지로부터 상기 세탁물의 양을 검출하며,The processor detects the amount of laundry from the first image;상기 검출 결과는 상기 오염량과 상기 세탁물의 양을 포함하는 세탁기.The detection result includes the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry.
- 제1항에 있어서,According to claim 1,상기 프로세서는 상기 검출 결과에 따라서 기 설정된 세탁 조건을 조정하여 상기 세탁 조건을 설정하는 세탁 조건인 세탁기.The washing machine is a washing condition in which the processor sets the washing condition by adjusting a predetermined washing condition according to the detection result.
- 제1항에 있어서,According to claim 1,상기 프로세서는 세탁을 수행한 후에, 상기 이미지 획득 모듈을 이용하여 상기 세탁물의 제2이미지를 획득하고, 상기 제2이미지로부터 오염량을 재검출하고, 상기 재검출 결과에 따라서 추가 세탁의 수행 여부를 결정하는 세탁기.After performing washing, the processor obtains a second image of the laundry using the image acquisition module, re-detects the amount of contamination from the second image, and determines whether to perform additional washing according to the re-detection result. washing machine to do.
- 제1항에 있어서,According to claim 1,상기 광원은 이미지 검출용 제1광원과, 살균용 제2광원을 포함하며,The light source includes a first light source for image detection and a second light source for sterilization,상기 프로세서는 세탁을 수행한 후에 상기 세탁조 및 상기 세탁물을 살균하도록 상기 제2광원을 제어하는 세탁기.The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the processor controls the second light source to sterilize the washing tub and the laundry after washing is performed.
- 제5항에 있어서,According to claim 5,상기 제1광원은 상기 카메라의 광축을 중심으로 하는 원호 상에 배치되는 복수의 제1광원을 포함하는 세탁기.The first light source includes a plurality of first light sources disposed on a circular arc centered on an optical axis of the camera.
- 제5항에 있어서,According to claim 5,상기 제1광원의 광축과 상기 카메라의 광축은 평행한 세탁기.An optical axis of the first light source and an optical axis of the camera are parallel to each other.
- 제1항에 있어서,According to claim 1,상기 이미지 획득 모듈은, 순차로 상기 카메라의 광경로에 위치되는 복수의 칼라 필터를 포함하는 세탁기.The image acquisition module includes a plurality of color filters sequentially positioned in an optical path of the camera.
- 제1광원으로부터 세탁조 내부의 세탁물에 광을 조사하고, 카메라를 이용하여 상기 세탁물의 제1이미지를 획득하는 단계;irradiating light from a first light source to the laundry inside the washing tub and acquiring a first image of the laundry using a camera;상기 제1이미지로부터 상기 세탁물의 오염량을 검출하는 단계;detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry from the first image;상기 검출 결과에 따라서 세탁 조건을 설정하는 단계;를 포함하는 세탁기의 제어 방법.A control method for a washing machine comprising: setting washing conditions according to the detection result.
- 제9항에 있어서,According to claim 9,상기 제1이미지로부터 상기 세탁물의 양을 검출하는 단계;를 더 포함하며,Further comprising: detecting the amount of laundry from the first image;상기 검출 결과는 상기 오염량과 상기 세탁물의 양을 포함하는 세탁기의 제어 방법.The detection result includes the amount of contamination and the amount of laundry.
- 제9항에 있어서,According to claim 9,상기 세탁 조건을 설정하는 단계는, 상기 검출 결과에 따라서 기 설정된 세탁 조건을 조정하여 상기 세탁 조건을 설정하는 세탁기의 제어 방법.The setting of the washing conditions may include setting the washing conditions by adjusting preset washing conditions according to the detection result.
- 제9항에 있어서,According to claim 9,상기 세탁 조건에 따라서 세탁을 수행한 후에, 제2광원으로부터 상기 세탁조 내부에 살균용 광을 조사하는 단계;를 포함하는 세탁기의 제어 방법.and irradiating light for sterilization from a second light source into the washing tub after performing washing according to the washing conditions.
- 제9항에 있어서,According to claim 9,세탁을 수행한 후에, 상기 제1광원으로부터 상기 세탁조 내부의 세탁물에 광을 조사하고 상기 카메라를 이용하여 상기 세탁물의 제2이미지를 획득하는 단계;after washing, irradiating light from the first light source to the laundry inside the washing tub and acquiring a second image of the laundry using the camera;상기 제2이미지로부터 상기 세탁물의 오염량을 재검출하고, 상기 재검출 결과에 따라서 추가 세탁의 수행 여부를 결정하는 단계;를 포함하는 세탁기의 제어 방법.A method for controlling a washing machine, comprising: re-detecting the amount of contamination of the laundry from the second image, and determining whether to perform additional washing according to the re-detection result.
- 제13항에 있어서,According to claim 13,상기 추가 세탁을 수행한 후에 제2광원으로부터 상기 세탁조의 내부에 살균용 광을 조사하는 단계;를 포함하는 세탁기의 제어 방법.and irradiating light for sterilization into the washing tub from a second light source after performing the additional washing.
- 제9항에 있어서,According to claim 9,상기 제1이미지를 획득하는 단계는, The step of obtaining the first image,상기 카메라의 광경로 상에 복수의 칼라 필터를 순차로 위치시키고 상기 복수의 칼라 필터를 순차로 통과한 복수의 상기 제1이미지를 획득하는 단계;를 포함하는 세탁기의 제어 방법.and sequentially positioning a plurality of color filters on an optical path of the camera and acquiring a plurality of first images sequentially passing through the plurality of color filters.
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JPH07307951A (en) * | 1994-05-13 | 1995-11-21 | Sony Corp | Image input device |
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KR20190012992A (en) * | 2017-07-31 | 2019-02-11 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Laundry Treating Apparatus and Contol Method for the same |
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